India's hate touching new heights

Express Tribune

20-02-2025

Under the leadership of the BJP, India's secular identity has been overshadowed by a rising wave of Hindu nationalism. Prime Minister Modi's policies, marked by hate speech and religious bigotry, have sown discord within Indian society, posing an existential threat to minorities, particularly Muslims.
Numerous international human rights organizations and watchdogs have highlighted the persecution of minorities in India, with the recent report by the US-based think tank India Hate Lab adding to the growing list.
The report outlines a troubling increase in hate speech, which surged from 668 cases in 2023 to 1,165 in 2024—a 74.4% rise. Alarmingly, 98.5% of these incidents targeted Muslims, with over two-thirds occurring in BJP-ruled states or those governed by its allies. According to the report, the 2024 election campaign saw BJP leaders deliver more than 450 hate speeches, including 63 by PM Modi himself.
Communal riots in India also witnessed an increase of 84%, rising from 32 to 59 incidents in 2024. Muslims were the primary victims, accounting for 10 out of 13 deaths, mainly in BJP-led states like Maharashtra, UP, and Bihar. Out of 59 riots, 49 occurred in BJP-ruled states, often triggered by disputes during religious festivals or over worship.
Religious festivals became a flashpoint for violence, with 26 riots in 2024 stemming from processions, particularly in BJP-controlled areas where right-wing groups inflamed tensions over contested religious sites. Six riots were centered on disputes over worship sites, where fringe groups claimed that mosques and dargahs were illegal structures.
Desecration of religious places, often driven by political motives, sparked five major riots, further targeting Muslims amid apparent state inaction. Maharashtra emerged as the epicenter of violence, recording 12 riots, followed by UP and Bihar with seven each.
This rise in attacks, especially in areas governed by the BJP, clearly reflects deliberate political strategies, with the state stoking tensions through religious disputes, hence deepening divisions among religious groups. The 59 riots reveal a systemic failure to address religious polarization, endangering vulnerable communities.
The venom and division the BJP has injected into society is jeopardizing India's long-term stability. With opposition parties and civil society appearing powerless, the perception of a lack of corrective measures has only grown stronger.