In the heart of India, where diverse cultures and religions have coexisted for centuries, a troubling trend emerged in 2024. Reports from the India Hate Lab indicated a 75% increase in hate speech against religious minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians, compared to the previous year.
“Hate speech in India in 2024 followed an alarming trajectory, deeply intertwined with the ideological ambitions of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the broader Hindu nationalist movement. The number of hate speech incidents targeting religious minorities surged from 668 in 2023 to 1,165 in 2024, marking a staggering 74.4% increase. Dangerous speech—defined as speech that “increases the risk that its audience will condone or participate in violence against members of another group”—also saw a significant rise” said the report.
The patterns of hate speech in 2024 reflect both continuity and evolution in its context and content. Longstanding Hindu nationalist narratives remain dominant, particularly the portrayal of Muslims and Christians as “outsiders” in Hindu India and Muslims as a threat to Hindus. “Hate speeches frequently invoked the narrative of Muslims as “infiltrators,” linked to thinly veiled allegations of all Indian Muslims as Bangladeshi migrants or Rohingya refugees. Hindu far-right leaders demonized Indian Muslims as parasitic and thieving, alleging that they were either wrongfully granted resources that rightfully belonged to Hindus or were stealing Hindu wealth through acts of aggression. These rhetorical shifts reinforced exclusionary narratives, further escalating anti-minority sentiment and hostility’” it added.
This surge was notably prominent in states governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accounted for approximately 80% of the documented incidents.
The escalation in hate speech coincided with the national elections held in 2024. During the campaign, inflammatory rhetoric targeting minorities became more frequent. Human Rights Watch observed that Modi’s electoral campaign often employed hate speech against Muslims and other minorities, inciting discrimination and hostility.
The impact of this divisive language was profound. In New Delhi, for instance, many Muslims began relocating to Muslim-majority neighborhoods, seeking safety amid rising tensions. This movement often led them to areas with limited infrastructure and economic opportunities, highlighting the broader societal implications of such rhetoric.
The international community took note of these developments. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern over the increasing hate speech and actions against minorities in India, emphasizing the need for greater protection of religious freedoms.
