India sees 74% spike in hate speech in 2024, says report

A recent report by the Washington-based India Hate Lab reveals a 74% surge in hate speech incidents against minorities in India during 2024, with a total of 1,165 cases documented.

This increase peaked during the national elections, with May 2024 recording 269 instances—the highest monthly count.

The report highlights that 98.5% of these incidents targeted Muslims, and prominent political figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, were frequently identified as sources of such rhetoric.

Notably, 79.9% of hate speech events occurred in states governed by Modi’s party or its allies, with Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh accounting for nearly half of the total incidents.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organized 340 events associated with hate speech in 2024, marking a 580% increase from the previous year.
In response, BJP spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill dismissed the report, asserting India’s robust legal system and criticizing what he termed an “anti-India reports industry” driven by vested interests.

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India sees huge spike in hate speech in 2024, says report – BBC