A US-based think tank has reported a sharp rise in hate speech targeting religious minorities in India throughout 2024. The India Hate Lab (IHL) linked this increase to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ideological ambitions and the broader Hindu nationalist movement.
Election-Year Surge
During India’s general elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP were accused of escalating anti-Muslim rhetoric to unprecedented levels. Modi referred to Muslims as “infiltrators” at rallies and alleged that the opposition Congress party would redistribute national wealth to them if elected.
Although Modi secured a third term in June, his party lost its outright majority for the first time in a decade, forcing him into a coalition government.
Alarming Increase in Hate Speech
According to IHL, hate speech incidents against religious minorities rose by 74.4%, from 668 cases in 2023 to 1,165 in 2024. Nearly 98.5% of these incidents targeted Muslims, with most occurring in states controlled by the BJP or its allies.
More than 450 hate speeches were made by BJP leaders, with Modi personally delivering 63 of them. The BJP did not respond to requests for comment but has previously denied such accusations.
The report highlighted that anti-Muslim narratives framed them as a threat to Hindus and the Indian nation, with increasing calls for the destruction of religious sites. Hindu supremacists have also intensified demands to reclaim Muslim religious sites, particularly after Modi inaugurated the Ram temple on the site of a demolished mosque.
Role of Social Media
IHL’s analysis found that platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) played a major role in spreading hate speech. During the elections, 266 anti-minority speeches by senior BJP leaders were widely disseminated across these platforms through official party accounts.
Global Implications
India Hate Lab operates under the Washington-based Center for the Study of Organised Hate (CSOH). The report’s findings coincide with Modi’s international engagements, as he is set to co-host an AI summit in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron before heading to Washington for talks with US President Donald Trump.
Critics have drawn parallels between Modi and Trump, both of whom have faced accusations of authoritarian tendencies. Their past meetings have reflected warm ties, particularly during Trump’s tenure in the White House from 2017 to 2021.
