Research group finds links between hate speech and ruling party in India

Since Modi came to power in 2014, there has been an increasing trend of anti-Muslim rhetoric

WASHINGTON – A Washington-based research organization has found that most anti-Muslim hate speech in India is linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party and its affiliated groups.

A report published by Hindutva Watch found that 80% of the 255 incidents of hate speech against Muslims in the first half of 2023 occurred in areas ruled by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Since Modi came to power in 2014, there has been an increasing trend of anti-Muslim rhetoric.

More than half of the incidents this year were allegedly coordinated by the BJP and groups close to it, such as the Bajrang Dal, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and the Sakal Hindu Samaj.

These groups are linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which is considered the ideological foundation of the BJP.

Abhay Verma, a senior BJP official, rejected the report’s allegations and asserted that the BJP does not support hate speech or religious discrimination.

This report is notable in that it is the first time the BJP has focused on hate speech against Muslims after the Indian Bureau of Investigation stopped collecting data on hate crimes in 2017.

The information came from social media and news reports.

The study found that 64% of documented incidents spread anti-Muslim conspiracy theories. 33% called for violence against Muslims, and 11% called for boycotts of Muslims.

Other events included derogatory and sexist remarks about Muslim women.

The release of the report comes amid concerns about laws and policies seen as discriminatory against Muslims, including the Citizenship Act 2019, the revocation of Kashmir’s special status, and measures in Karnataka under the BJP government.