A recent report by the Washington-based research group India Hate Lab documented a 62% increase in anti-Muslim hate speech in India during the second half of 2023 compared to the first six months. The study, released on Monday, identified a correlation between the escalation of the Israel-Gaza conflict in October 2023 and a rise in hate speech against Indian Muslims.
Key findings of the report include:
- 668 incidents of anti-Muslim hate speech were documented in 2023, with 413 occurring in the latter half of the year.
- 75% (498 incidents) of hate speech incidents were found in states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Hindu nationalist party led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- The states of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh reported the highest number of incidents.
- 41 incidents of hate speech specifically mentioned the Israel-Gaza conflict, constituting 20% of incidents in the last three months of 2023.
The report utilized the United Nations’ definition of hate speech, encompassing prejudiced and discriminatory language targeting an individual or group based on religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, or gender.
India Hate Lab’s research methodology involved monitoring online activities of Hindu nationalist groups, verifying hate speech videos on social media, and compiling data on individual incidents reported in Indian media.
Concerns Raised by Rights Groups
The report underscores concerns raised by rights groups regarding the alleged mistreatment of minorities under the current administration. These concerns stem from policies such as the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act, which critics deem discriminatory, and the revocation of special status for Muslim-majority Kashmir in the same year. Additionally, rights groups have pointed to instances like the demolition of Muslim properties and the ban on hijab in classrooms in certain states governed by the BJP.
Government Response
The Indian government has consistently denied allegations of minority abuse, maintaining that its policies aim to benefit all citizens. Neither the Indian embassy in Washington nor the Ministry of External Affairs responded to requests for comment on the report.
