Hate speech targeting minorities, including Muslims and Christians, in India rose by 13% in 2025, according to a report by a Washington-based research group. The majority of incidents were reported in states governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The India Hate Lab documented 1,318 incidents of hate speech last year, up from 1,165 in 2024 and 668 in 2023. These events occurred at political rallies, religious processions, protest marches, and cultural gatherings across the country.
Of the total incidents, 1,164 happened in states and union territories controlled by the BJP, either directly or through coalition governments. Rights groups have expressed concern that such discrimination has increased under Modi’s government, which came to power in 2014.
April 2025 saw the highest spike in hate speech incidents, with 158 events. Nearly 100 of these occurred between April 22, following a militant attack in India-administered Kashmir, and May 7, during four days of clashes between India and Pakistan.
International organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, point to policies and legislation that they say have worsened the situation for minorities. These include a religion-based citizenship law, anti-conversion rules, the 2019 removal of Kashmir’s special status, and demolitions of Muslim-owned properties.
The India Hate Lab was founded by U.S.-based Kashmiri journalist Raqib Hameed Naik. It is part of the Center for the Study of Organized Hate, a nonprofit think tank in Washington. The group uses the UN’s definition of hate speech, which covers discriminatory or prejudiced language based on religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, or gender.
The Indian embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment. Prime Minister Modi and the BJP deny discriminatory intent, stating that their policies, including food subsidies and electrification programs, benefit all communities equally.
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The report highlights growing concerns over minority safety in India and calls for attention to hate speech and discrimination.
