Surge in Anti-Muslim Hate Speech Incidents Sweeps India Ahead of Election Season
Anti-Muslim hate speech incidents in India surged by over one per day during the first half of 2023, with a total of 255 documented cases primarily concentrated in states gearing up for upcoming elections, as detailed in a report by Hindutva Watch.
Hindutva Watch, an organization headquartered in Washington, dedicated to monitoring attacks against minority communities, disclosed that comparative data for previous years was unavailable.
The group adopted the United Nations’ definition of hate speech, which characterizes it as “any form of communication… that employs prejudiced or discriminatory language towards an individual or group based on attributes such as religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, color, descent, gender, or other identity factors.”
The report divulged that a significant 70% of hate speech incidents manifested in states slated for elections in 2023 and 2024, with Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat experiencing the highest prevalence.
The predominant themes in these hate speech occurrences revolved around conspiracy theories, violence, and socio-economic boycotts targeting Muslims.
Furthermore, approximately 80% of these incidents transpired in regions where the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held power. Now, it is also widely anticipated to secure victory in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Hindutva Watch elucidated their methodology, which encompassed the monitoring of online activities of Hindu nationalist groups, authentication of hate speech videos disseminated on social media platforms, and compilation of data concerning isolated incidents as reported by media outlets.
In response to these allegations, the Modi government has consistently denied any mistreatment of minority communities. The Indian embassy in Washington remained unresponsive to requests for comments, as reported by Reuters.
Human rights organizations have accused Modi’s administration of discriminatory policies toward Muslims during his tenure. They have cited the 2019 citizenship law, criticized by the UN human rights office as “fundamentally discriminatory” for its exclusion of Muslim migrants, as well as anti-conversion legislation that challenges freedom of belief.
Additionally, the 2019 revocation of Kashmir’s special status, the demolition of Muslim properties for illegal construction, and the ban on wearing the hijab in Karnataka classrooms during the BJP’s rule have been highlighted as concerning issues.
