BBC :
Instances of hate speech against minorities jumped 74pc in India in 2024, peaking during the country’s national elections, according to a new report.
The report, released on Monday by Washington-based research group India Hate Lab, documented 1,165 such instances last year, adding that politicians like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were among the most frequent purveyors of hate speech.
Muslims were targeted the most, with 98.5pc of recorded instances of hate speech directed against them.
The report said most of the events where hate speech occurred were held in states governed by Modi’s party or larger alliance.
The BBC has sought comment on the India Hate Lab report from several spokespersons at Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Over the years, BJP leaders have often been accused of targeting India’s minority communities, especially Muslims.
The ruling party has rejected allegations of Islamophobia and hate speech levelled at it by rights groups and opposition leaders.
On Tuesday, its national spokesperson reiterated this stance, telling CNN that the country had a “very strong legal system which is structured to maintain peace, order and ensure non-violence at any cost”.
“Today’s India does not need any certification from any ‘anti-India reports industry’ which is run by vested interests to prejudice and dent India’s image,” Jaiveer Shergill said.
But the party was accused of using hate speech during the heated election campaign last year. The prime minister himself was accused of using divisive rhetoric that attacked Muslims.
In May, India’s Election Commission also asked the party to remove a social media post that opposition leaders said “demonised Muslims”.
