India Witnesses Sharp Rise in Hate Speech in 2024, Report Reveals
A new report highlights a dramatic increase in hate speech incidents across India in 2024, with a 74% surge compared to the previous year. The highest spike was observed during the national elections, according to data compiled by the Washington-based research group India Hate Lab.
The report, released on Monday, recorded 1,165 instances of hate speech last year, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah among the most frequent figures associated with such rhetoric. The data also revealed that Muslims were the primary targets, accounting for 98.5% of all documented cases.
Most incidents occurred in states governed by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or its coalition partners. The BBC has reached out to BJP representatives for comment on the findings but has yet to receive a response.
Over the years, BJP leaders have faced repeated allegations of fostering hostility against India's minority communities, particularly Muslims. However, the party has consistently denied claims of Islamophobia and hate speech. On Tuesday, BJP national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill reiterated this stance, telling CNN that India has a "strong legal framework designed to uphold peace, order, and non-violence."
"Today's India does not require validation from an 'anti-India reports industry' that operates with vested interests to tarnish the nation's image," Shergill added.
During the intense 2024 election campaign, the BJP faced accusations of promoting hate speech. Prime Minister Modi himself was criticized for using divisive rhetoric against Muslims. In May, the Election Commission of India instructed the party to remove a social media post that opposition leaders claimed "demonized Muslims."
The India Hate Lab report recorded 269 hate speech incidents in May alone, making it the peak month of the year. While Christians also faced hate speech, they were targeted to a lesser extent compared to Muslims.
Rights organizations have long argued that discrimination and violence against minorities have worsened since Modi’s government came to power in 2014. The BJP has repeatedly dismissed these allegations.
Hate Speech in BJP-Governed States
The report found that hate speech was prevalent at political rallies, religious processions, protest marches, and cultural events. A staggering 79.9% of these incidents—931 in total—occurred in states where the BJP held direct control or governed in alliance.
Three BJP-ruled states—Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh—accounted for nearly half of all recorded cases in 2024. Additionally, the BJP was directly involved in organizing 340 such events last year, marking a staggering 580% increase from 2023.
Escalation of Dangerous Speech
The report also warned of a troubling rise in dangerous speech compared to the previous year. Political leaders and religious figures were found to have openly incited violence against Muslims.
"This included direct calls for violence, encouragement to arm against Muslims, economic boycotts targeting Muslim-owned businesses, the destruction of Muslim residential areas, and the seizure or demolition of Muslim religious sites," the report stated.
As concerns grow over rising hate speech and communal tensions, the findings have sparked renewed debate over India's political climate and the role of leadership in fostering inclusivity and harmony.
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