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The instances of hate speech against minorities increased 74% in India in 2024, reaching its maximum point during the country’s national elections, according to a new report.
The report, published on Monday by the Washington headquarters, India Hate Lab, documented 1,165 cases of this type last year, and added that politicians such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Interior Minister, Amit Shah, were Among the most frequent suppliers of hate speech.
Muslims were more attacked, with 98.5% of registered cases of hate speech directed against them.
The report said that most of the events in which the hate speech occurred were held in the states governed by the Modi party or the alliance in general.
The BBC has sought comments on the hate laboratory report of India of several spokesmen of the Hindu Nationalist Party of Modi Bharatiya Janata (BJP).
Over the years, BJP leaders have often been accused of attacking the minority communities of India, especially Muslims.
The ruling party has rejected the accusations of Islamophobia and hate discourse by rights groups and opposition leaders.
On Tuesday, its national spokesman reiterated this position, telling CNN that the country had a “very strong legal system that is structured to maintain peace, order and guarantee non -violence at any cost.”
“Today’s India does not need any certification of any ‘anti-india reports’ that is administered by interests created for prejudices and the image of India.” Jaiveer Shergill said.
But the party was accused of using hate speech during the heated electoral campaign last year. Prime Minister himself was accused of using Divisive rhetoric That attacked Muslims. In May, the Electoral Commission of India also asked the party to eliminate a social media post that opposition leaders said “demonized Muslims.”
According to India Hate Lab report, 269 hate speech instances were reported in May 2024, the highest of the year.
Christians have also been attacked by hate speech, but to a lesser extent than Muslims, according to the report.
The rights groups have often said that minorities, especially Muslims, have faced greater discrimination and attacks after the Modi government came to power in 2014. The BJP has repeatedly denied these accusations.
The laboratory report said that hate discourse was observed especially in political manifestations, religious processions, protest marches and cultural meetings. Most of these events, 931 or 79.9%, took place in the states where the BJP ruled or governed directly in the coalition.
Three states governed by BJP, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, represented almost half of the total events of hate discourse registered in 2024, as shown by the laboratory data.
The ruling party was also the organizer of 340 events of this type in 2024, an increase of 580% compared to the previous year.
“Hate discourse patterns in 2024 also revealed a deeply alarming increase in dangerous discourse compared to 2023, with political leaders and religious figures openly encouraging violence against Muslims,” the report said.
“This included calls to direct violence, weapons calls, the economic boycott of Muslim businesses, the destruction of Muslim residential properties and the seizure or demolition of Muslim religious structures.”
