New Delhi: A new study by the India Hate Lab reports a 74 percent rise in hate speech against Muslims and Christians in 2024. The researchers verified more than 1,000 incidents. They linked the rise to the general election, state polls and reactions to unrest in Bangladesh. The number of recorded incidents increased from 668 in 2023 to 1,165 in 2024. The report describes a pattern where political events and mass gatherings became regular sites of hostility toward religious minorities.
The study states that many speeches repeated Hindu nationalist claims that portray Muslims and Christians as outsiders or threats. Several incidents linked Muslims to infiltration or violence. The report says these narratives gained traction during the election season. It says the public mood hardened further in August after political turmoil in Bangladesh. The researchers say some political groups and media outlets exaggerated the extent of violence there. They say this led to more anti-Muslim sentiment inside India.
The study warns that hate speech has reached a point where the language includes direct calls for violence, economic boycotts and intimidation. Attacks on homes, businesses and places of worship were reported at several locations. Social media helped amplify these messages. The researchers identified Facebook and YouTube as the main sites where content first appeared. They said the platforms did not enforce their own rules.
The report concludes that hate speech has become common in political life. It says the trends in 2024 reflect an aggressive phase of Hindu nationalism that targets India’s largest minority communities.
