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India sees 270% rise in hate speeches in 2024

The city based Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS) in its latest report revealed a significant increase of 270% in hate speeches in India in the year 2024

Sunday April 13, 2025 1:54 PM, ummid.com News Network

Mumbai: The city based Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS) in its latest report revealed a significant increase of 270% in hate speeches in India in the year 2024.

Based on the reports published by prominent newspapers, the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS) documented a total of 122 instances of hate speech in 2024.

"In contrast, 33 hate speeches were recorded in the previous year 2023. This reflects a significant increase of 270%", the centre said.

"Almost 33% or one third of these 122 speeches reported were given by Prime Minister Modi", the Centre said.

Indian Muslims main target of hate speeches

In its report, the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS) said the majority of hate speech cases in 2024 - more than 95%, were targeted at Indian Muslims.

"Out of the 122 recorded hate speeches in 2024, 117 — constituting nearly 96%, were targeted at Muslims. In comparison, three speeches (2.45%) were directed against Hindus, while one each (0.8%) targeted at Dalits and Sikhs", the Centre said.

The Centre also noted that the sharp rise in the hate speeches cases were because of 2024 General and consequent Assembly elections in various states, indicating that they were deliberately used for political mileage and polarization of votes.

"One of the key factors contributing to this sharp rise in hate speech can be attributed to the elections in 2024. Specifically, the general elections, as well as state assembly elections in pivotal states such as Haryana, Jharkhand and Maharashtra, likely played a substantial role in the increase", the CSSS said.

"A considerable portion of these hate speeches were delivered during election campaigns and political rallies, underscoring the heightened use of divisive rhetoric for electoral dividend during this period", the Centre said.

Modi leads in hate speech

The Centre also said PM Modi leads the list of those engaged in hate speeches followed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh CM Adityanath.

"A closer examination reveals that 40 out of 122 hate speeches were delivered by the Prime Minister, making up 32.7 percent of the total, while 15 speeches were made by Union Minister Amit Shah", the Centre said.

"Additionally, 12 hate speeches each were attributed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and 5 by Maharashtra's then Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. These cumulatively accounted for 84 hate speeches out of 122, constituting 68.5% of the total hate speeches. The monitoring also pointed out Nitesh Rane, BJP MLA from Maharashtra, delivered 9 hate speeches", it said.

Also Read: ‘Modi must be booked for hate speech’: Outrage gets louder against Prime Minister

Further highlighting an alarming trend, the Centre found 109 of the total 122 hate speeches in 2024 were made by Ministers, MPs and MLAs.

"It is significant to highlight that 109 out of the 122 reported hate speeches, constituting approximately 89.3 percent, were delivered by elected representatives. These included Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), state-level cabinet ministers, union ministers and the Prime Minister. One hate speech is notably delivered one High Court judge", the Centre found.

The Centre also found that majority of those involved in hate speeches are associated with the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).

"The majority of these hate speeches, 109 out of the 122, were made by leaders affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accounting for 89.3% of the total hate speeches reported by the newspapers", the Centre said.

State-wise hate speech data

Giving state-wise data of hate speeched in India, the Centre said out of the total 122 hate speeches reported, 38 speeches, constituting 31 percent, were delivered in the state of Maharashtra, indicating the steady rise in communal discourse in the state.

"Additionally, 23 hate speeches were recorded in Uttar Pradesh, 9 in Jharkhand, 8 in West Bengal, 7 each from Assam, Bihar and 6 in Gujarat", the Centre said.

"The remaining hate speeches came from across other states- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Telangana, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh", the Centre said.

"Impunity, Normalization of Hatred"

The Centre observed that the content of the hate speeches was primarily centred around inflammatory rhetoric, including claims that, if the Congress party came to power, the wealth of Hindus and the nation would be redistributed among Muslims.

"In these speeches, Muslims were referred as illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants; accused them of engaging in love and land jihad; and demanded demolition of their mosques, home and commercial properties. Such statements significantly contributed to the growing anti-Muslim discourse and the broader normalization of hate within public discourse", the report said.

Also Read: 110/173 Modi LS Poll speeches laced with hate: Human Rights Watch

The Centre also pointed out lack of accountability and punishment with regard to hate speeches leading to the normalization of what otherwise is a serious crime.

“A look at the punitive action taken against the members of the ruling party or the lack of it points to the stark pattern that hate speeches continue unabated given the impunity and normalization of hatred.

"No concrete action seems to have been taken in 2024 despite of slew of hate speeches. While little punitive action was taken against members from the ruling party or religious leaders from Hindu right wing for their hate speeches, the statements made by members from other parties and any non-state actor critiquing the narratives of the ruling party, were strictly being acted upon, marking a paradox", the Centre said in its report compiled by Irfan Engineer, Neha Dabhade and Mithila Raut.

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