A recent report by India Hate Lab (IHL) has highlighted a disturbing surge in anti-Muslim hate speech across India, documenting 64 in-person incidents across nine states and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir between April 22 and May 2. This wave of hate followed the militant attack in Pahalgam and was reportedly orchestrated by Hindu far-right groups, reported the Maktoob Media.
Maharashtra emerged as the epicenter of this rhetoric, recording 17 such incidents, followed by Uttar Pradesh (13), Uttarakhand and Haryana (6 each), Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh (5 each), Himachal Pradesh (5), Bihar (4), and Chhattisgarh (2).
The IHL report names several Hindu nationalist outfits behind these hate rallies, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP), Rashtriya Bajrang Dal (RBD), Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Sakal Hindu Samaj, Hindu Rashtra Sena, and Hindu Raksha Dal. The events featured speeches that demonized Muslims using derogatory terms like “green snakes,” “piglets,” and “mad dogs,” while promoting social exclusion and violence.
Prominent figures, including BJP MLA Nandkishor Gurjar, reportedly participated in some of these events, using dehumanizing language and calling for economic boycotts and even arming Hindus. Several speakers threatened to drive Muslims out of localities, while others spread conspiracies linking them to Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The report also cited a rise in hate crimes targeting Muslims, especially Kashmiris. Incidents included attacks on Muslim vendors in Haryana, assaults on Kashmiri traders, and a brutal axe attack on a Muslim man in Uttar Pradesh—where the attacker reportedly vowed retaliation, citing the Pahalgam attack.
India Hate Lab noted that most events were recorded or live-streamed on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, greatly expanding their reach. “The rapid spread of this content demonstrates the dangerous connection between online hate ecosystems and offline violence,” the report warned.
