In 2024, hate speech against minorities, especially Muslims, in India increased by 74%, according to a report by a Washington-based research group. The India Hate Lab, which tracks hate speech incidents, reported 1,165 cases of hate speech last year, compared to 668 in 2023. These incidents took place at various events such as political rallies, religious processions, protest marches, and cultural gatherings.

Impact of the 2024 General Elections

The report says that the increase in hate speech in 2024 is closely connected to India’s general elections. The elections were held in seven stages between April 19 and June 1, and this time period had a big impact on the rise in hate speech. Around one-third of the hate speech incidents happened during the election campaign, with the month of May having the most cases.

The group also referred to remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April, where he called Muslims “infiltrators” and said they had “more children.” These comments are seen as contributing to the rise in hate speech. Despite these remarks, PM Modi won a third consecutive term and denied creating divisions among communities. His Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not win a majority, relying on coalition partners to form the government.

India Hate Lab highlighted that 80% of the hate speech incidents occurred in states governed by the BJP and its allies. They explained that these incidents often included discriminatory language aimed at specific groups based on religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, or gender.

Concerns about minorities in India

The report comes at a time when many human rights groups, like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, are worried about how minorities are treated in India. These groups point to laws like the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act, which the UN called "fundamentally discriminatory." They also mention laws against religious conversion and the decision to take away Kashmir's special status, where most people are Muslim.

Rights advocates are also concerned about the destruction of buildings owned by Muslims, which authorities said were built illegally. Additionally, there has been a ban on hijabs in schools in Karnataka, a rule introduced when the BJP was in charge of the state.

India Hate Lab, founded by Kashmiri journalist Raqib Hameed Naik, used the United Nations’ definition of hate speech in its report. This definition includes prejudiced language against individuals or groups based on religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, or gender. The BJP has rejected the group’s report, saying it gives a biased view of India.

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