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Instances of hate speech targeting minorities, particularly Muslims, in India saw a sharp rise in 2024, according to a report from the Washington-based research group India Hate Lab. The report, released on Monday, states that 1,165 incidents of hate speech were documented throughout the year, a significant increase from the 668 recorded in 2023. The surge in incidents is largely attributed to the political climate surrounding the 2024 general elections.
India Hate Lab, a project of the Center for the Study of Organized Hate, documented hate speech at various events such as political rallies, religious processions, protest marches, and cultural gatherings. The report underscores that a major factor driving the uptick in hate speech was the national election, which was held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. A particularly notable peak in hate speech incidents occurred in May, coinciding with the height of election campaigning.
Impact of Elections on Hate Speech Patterns
The timing of the 2024 elections played a significant role in shaping the patterns of hate speech, according to India Hate Lab. Around a third of the incidents documented occurred between March 16 and June 1, during the height of election campaigning. One of the most controversial events cited was a statement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April, where he referred to Muslims as “infiltrators” and claimed they had “more children.” These remarks fueled further polarization and angered many human rights groups, who believe such rhetoric contributed to the climate of discrimination and hostility toward minorities.
Despite winning a third consecutive term in office, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not secure a majority in the elections and relied on coalition allies to form a government. India Hate Lab’s report notes that approximately 80% of hate speech incidents in 2024 occurred in states governed by the BJP and its allies, highlighting the influence of the party’s leadership in shaping the discourse surrounding minority rights.
Growing Concerns Over Discriminatory Legislation
Rights advocates have raised growing concerns about the treatment of minorities in India, especially under Modi’s leadership. Several controversial policies and actions have been highlighted, such as the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which the United Nations called “fundamentally discriminatory” for providing citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from neighboring countries. Other legislative actions, such as anti-conversion laws and the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, have been seen as targeting Muslim communities.
In addition to legislation, incidents such as the demolition of properties owned by Muslims under the claim of illegal construction, and the imposition of a ban on the hijab in schools in Karnataka, have raised alarm about the growing intolerance toward religious and ethnic minorities in India.
India Hate Lab’s Findings on Hate Speech
India Hate Lab’s report defines hate speech using the United Nations’ definition, which refers to prejudiced or discriminatory language directed at individuals or groups based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, or gender. The rise in hate speech incidents documented in 2024 underscores the increasing challenges faced by minority communities in India, especially Muslims, who have long been at the center of discriminatory rhetoric.
While the report provides a detailed account of hate speech patterns in the country, it has been met with resistance from the Indian government. The BJP has consistently denied accusations of discrimination and has defended its policies as benefiting all Indians, regardless of their religious or ethnic background.
