India’s Hate Speech Crisis: IHL Report Exposes Alarming Trends

A new report by the India Hate Lab (IHL), a Washington, D.C.-based research initiative under the Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH), has documented an alarming rise in hate speech in India, exposing what it calls a systematic and state-backed campaign of bigotry.

The findings paint a grim picture of India’s political and social landscape, with hate speech not only increasing but also being openly endorsed by members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The report highlights a 74.4% increase in hate speech, with BJP politicians responsible for nearly 40% of recorded cases.

Hate as a Political Strategy

According to the report, BJP politicians delivered 452 hate speeches, making hate speech a central pillar of political discourse. This trend was particularly evident during election periods, with 373 hate speeches recorded during campaigns, indicating a deliberate strategy of using communal divisions for electoral gain.

The report further reveals that 79.9% of hate incidents occurred in BJP-ruled states, raising concerns over state-sponsored bigotry becoming a key governance model. Hate speech was frequently directed at religious minorities, with 1,147 speeches targeting Muslims and 115 directed at Christians.

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Growing Radicalization and Call for Violence

The IHL report also highlights a dangerous rise in violent rhetoric, with 259 speeches openly inciting violence and 123 calling for arms. Additionally, 274 speeches targeted mosques, churches, and minority communities, with many urging economic and social boycotts.

Extremist Hindu nationalist groups, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, reportedly held 279 hate rallies, a 29.2% increase from previous years. The report suggests that these rallies were often held with state support or police inaction, reinforcing concerns of an institutionalized hate network.

Silence from Authorities and Judiciary

Despite the scale of hate speech and its link to real-world violence, the IHL report notes a lack of legal action. The Election Commission of India failed to take any action against hate speech during elections, while petitions against inflammatory rhetoric were dismissed by the Supreme Court.

Legal protections for minorities are also being systematically dismantled, the report warns, allowing Hindu extremist groups to operate with impunity.

Global Implications

Beyond India’s borders, the report warns of a growing export of Hindu nationalist radicalism, with Indian diaspora communities witnessing an uptick in extremist activity. Online disinformation campaigns—with 995 hate videos circulated—are also playing a key role in amplifying communal divisions globally.

International Inaction Worsening the Crisis

The report criticizes the silence of global institutions and governments, stating that the failure to hold India accountable has emboldened hate networks. It warns that if left unchecked, India’s descent into radicalization will not remain confined within its borders.

With hate speech becoming an institutionalized tool of governance, the report calls for urgent international intervention to prevent further escalation.

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