In the vibrant tapestry of India’s democracy, a disconcerting trend has cast a shadow on the ideals of secularism and pluralism that the nation professes. As we navigate the intricate narratives of the world’s largest democracy, a stark reality emerges in the form of a surge in anti-Muslim hate speech incidents. According to a report by Hindutva Watch, a Washington-based organization that tracks attacks on minorities, India saw a spike in anti-Muslim hate speech incidents in the first half of 2023, with an average of more than one per day. The report, which was released on Monday, detailed 255 instances of hate speech gatherings directed towards Muslims.
The report indicated, there is a relationship between the frequency of hate speech and states that have elections coming up. Approximately 70% of incidents occur in states where elections are scheduled for 2023 and 2024. Furthermore, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Hindu nationalist political party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, controls eighty percent of these hate speech incidents. The states with the most hate speech gatherings were found to be Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat; Maharashtra accounted for 29% of these incidents.
The main messages spread by the hate speech incidents were conspiracy theories, calls for violence against Muslims, and economic boycotts. Hindutva Watch gathered information on isolated incidents that were reported by the media, verified videos of hate speeches posted on social media, and monitored the online activity of right-wing Hindu organizations.
The results of the report raise concerns about how political discourse contributes to the environment that is favorable to hate speech. Mumbai-based Muslim lawmaker Abu Asim Azmi made the case that hate speech should be restricted by anti-terror laws, citing the fact that even the Indian Parliament has become a forum for such divisive statements. Azmi’s worries highlight the necessity of legal action as well as accountability in order to stop the spread of hate speech.
The Modi administration disputes the existence of minority abuse in spite of the concerning statistics, and the Indian embassy in Washington has said nothing about it. However, rights groups and activists claim that under Modi’s leadership, Muslims have been mistreated. They point to laws that violate the right to freedom of belief guaranteed by the constitution, like the 2019 citizenship law and anti-conversion legislation.
The revocation of Kashmir’s semiautonomous status in 2019, the demolition of Muslim-owned properties to make room for illegal constructions, and the prohibition of the hijab in classrooms in states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have all contributed to the complexity of the situation. These behaviors foster a climate in which hate speech proliferates and minorities experience growing vulnerability.
BJP spokesman Tom Vadakkan blamed opposition parties for spreading hate speech in response to the report. Activist and journalist Teesta Setalvad, however, argues that hate in India “flows from the top,” stressing that it is a political mobilization tactic employed by the government. Setalvad draws attention to the impunity and collaboration enjoyed by hatemongers, putting India’s minority populations in a precarious and vulnerable position.
Despite India’s claims to be a secular state, the country’s recent election campaign has seen an increase in hate speech. The world needs to see India for what it truly is, pressing government officials to deal with the underlying causes of hate speech and defend the rights and dignity of its Muslim populace. A concerted effort to promote a more inclusive and tolerant society is necessary given the silence and complicity surrounding such incidents.
