The Crossbill Team
A recent report by the Washington-based research group, India Hate Lab, has highlighted a "staggering" increase in hate speech targeting India's religious minorities over the past year.
The report, released on Monday (February 10), notes that the number of hate speech incidents against Muslims and Christians rose by 74% in 2024, reaching 1,165 cases compared to 668 in the previous year. Alarmingly, 98% of these incidents explicitly or implicitly targeted Muslims.
The report states that the surge in hate speech is closely linked to the ideological goals of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the broader Hindu nationalist movement.
The India Hate Lab, a project of the Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH), releases annual data on hate speech in India. It follows the United Nations' definition, which identifies hate speech as any form of communication—whether spoken, written, or behavioural—that uses pejorative or discriminatory language against individuals based on their religion.
Despite repeated assertions from the BJP that it does not discriminate against minorities, the report highlights a significant rise in hate speech linked to the party.
It states that BJP leaders were responsible for 30% of all documented hate speech events in 2024, marking a six-fold increase from the previous year.
The report also notes that BJP-affiliated leaders delivered 452 hate speeches, reflecting a sharp 350% rise. Many of these occurred during the general election campaign, reinforcing narratives that depict Muslims and Christians as "outsiders," "invaders," and "foreigners" with no legitimate place in India.
The BJP has dismissed the report as an attempt to tarnish India's image. Party spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill speaking to CNN, condemned the report by calling it 'anti-India.'
"India as a nation has a very strong legal system which is structured to maintain peace, order and ensure non-violence at any cost," Shergill told media house.
"Today’s India does not need any certification from any ‘anti-India reports industry’ which is run by vested interests to prejudice and dent India’s image,” he added.
India, home to approximately 200 million Muslims and 27 million Christians, has witnessed increasing marginalization of its minorities under Modi’s leadership.
According to another ongoing report by the Centre for the Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS), India witnessed a sharp surge in communal violence by 84 % in 2024, with 59 incidents of communal riots recorded.
The report, released on Monday (February 10), notes that the number of hate speech incidents against Muslims and Christians rose by 74% in 2024, reaching 1,165 cases compared to 668 in the previous year. Alarmingly, 98% of these incidents explicitly or implicitly targeted Muslims.
The report states that the surge in hate speech is closely linked to the ideological goals of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the broader Hindu nationalist movement.
The India Hate Lab, a project of the Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH), releases annual data on hate speech in India. It follows the United Nations' definition, which identifies hate speech as any form of communication—whether spoken, written, or behavioural—that uses pejorative or discriminatory language against individuals based on their religion.
Despite repeated assertions from the BJP that it does not discriminate against minorities, the report highlights a significant rise in hate speech linked to the party.
It states that BJP leaders were responsible for 30% of all documented hate speech events in 2024, marking a six-fold increase from the previous year.
The report also notes that BJP-affiliated leaders delivered 452 hate speeches, reflecting a sharp 350% rise. Many of these occurred during the general election campaign, reinforcing narratives that depict Muslims and Christians as "outsiders," "invaders," and "foreigners" with no legitimate place in India.
The BJP has dismissed the report as an attempt to tarnish India's image. Party spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill speaking to CNN, condemned the report by calling it 'anti-India.'
"India as a nation has a very strong legal system which is structured to maintain peace, order and ensure non-violence at any cost," Shergill told media house.
"Today’s India does not need any certification from any ‘anti-India reports industry’ which is run by vested interests to prejudice and dent India’s image,” he added.
India, home to approximately 200 million Muslims and 27 million Christians, has witnessed increasing marginalization of its minorities under Modi’s leadership.
According to another ongoing report by the Centre for the Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS), India witnessed a sharp surge in communal violence by 84 % in 2024, with 59 incidents of communal riots recorded.
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