WASHINGTON: In the first half of 2023, India witnessed a disturbing surge in anti-Muslim hate speech incidents, averaging more than one per day, according to a report by Hindutva Watch, a Washington-based organization dedicated to monitoring attacks on minorities.
The report highlighted that the states with upcoming elections saw the highest number of such incidents.
The report documented a total of 255 hate speech gatherings targeting Muslims during this period, utilizing the United Nations’ definition of hate speech, which encompasses any form of communication employing prejudiced or discriminatory language toward individuals or groups based on attributes such as religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender, or other identity factors.
An alarming revelation from the report was that approximately 70 percent of these hate speech incidents occurred in states scheduled to hold elections in 2023 and 2024. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat were identified as states witnessing the highest number of hate speech gatherings, with Maharashtra accounting for 29 percent of these incidents. The hate speech events predominantly revolved around conspiracy theories and calls for violence and socio-economic boycotts against Muslims.
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A troubling finding was that about 80 percent of these hate speech events took place in areas governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is widely anticipated to emerge victorious in the general elections in 2024. Hindutva Watch, the organization behind the report, conducted meticulous tracking of online activities by Hindu nationalist groups, verified hate speech videos shared on social media, and compiled data from isolated incidents reported by the media.
Prime Minister Modi’s government has consistently denied allegations of minority abuse. Despite mounting concerns, the Indian embassy in Washington has refrained from responding to requests for comments regarding this issue. Various rights groups continue to highlight what they perceive as mistreatment of Muslims under Modi’s tenure, which began in 2014.
These groups point to significant legislation and actions that they deem discriminatory, such as the 2019 citizenship law criticized by the United Nations human rights office for excluding Muslim migrants, anti-conversion legislation seen as a challenge to the constitutionally protected right to freedom of belief, and the 2019 revocation of Muslim-majority Kashmir’s special status.
Moreover, there have been instances of the demolition of Muslim properties in the guise of removing illegal constructions and bans on wearing the hijab in classrooms in Karnataka when the BJP was in power in that state. The rise in hate speech incidents is deeply concerning and underscores the need for increased awareness, education, and efforts to foster tolerance and inclusivity within Indian society.
