Normalization of Hatred Targeting Minorities
Irfan Engineer, Neha Dabhade and Mithila Raut
12/04/2025
According to the monitoring conducted by the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS), based on reports from the Mumbai editions of prominent newspapers such as The Indian Express, The Times of India, The Hindu, Inquilab, and Sahafat, a total of 122 instances of hate speech were reported in 2024. In contrast, 33 hate speeches were recorded in the previous year, 2023. This reflects a significant increase of 270 percent. One third of these 122 speeches reported, almost 33% were given by Prime Minister Modi.[1]
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Out of 122 recorded hate speeches, 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.
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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. 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.
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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 remaining hate speeches came from across other states- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Telangana, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
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.
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Furthermore, 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% percent of the total hate speeches reported by the aforementioned newspapers.
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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. 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.
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In addition to these, the monitoring indicates that hate speeches were also made by Union Ministers and state-level cabinet ministers, including one from the BJP and another from the Trinamool Congress.
This situation is deeply concerning as it highlights the alarming normalization of hatred and the failure of the criminal justice system to take effective action, thereby allowing hate speeches to proliferate unchecked. The individuals holding public office, who have sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution, are actively engaged in propagating divisive and hateful rhetoric. A significant proportion- 84 out of 122 of this hate speeches- 68.6% were made during election campaign rallies, prompting opposition parties to urge the Election Commission to recognize these violations of the Model Code of Conduct and take appropriate action against the hate speeches. However, despite these calls for intervention, the Election Commission took no effective measures to deter the spread of hate speech, which continued unabated.
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.
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.
For instance, the statement made by NCP leader Jitendra Ahwad (Sharadchandra Pawar) faction about Ram being non-vegetarian attracted seven FIRs and vehement criticism from the right wing (Banerjee, 2024). Similarly, in Mumbai, a Dalit student of the International Institute of Population Studies was arrested and a FIR was filed against him promptly after he wrote to the director of IIPS urging him to intervene to stop the celebration of the consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya on the IIPS campus. He was arrested on the complaint filed by another student who claimed that demanding such intervention hurt his “religious sentiment” (Scroll.in, 2024). Mufti Salman Azhari’s hate speech which is highly condemnable attracted charges slapped under Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act and the matter was investigated by Gujarat police’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (The Hindu, 2024).
However, what stands out in stark contrast is how despite blatant hate speeches inciting ill will against Muslims, the judicial system didn’t act. It appears as if different hate speeches are attracting different punitive action. Civil society groups including PUCL urged for action. PUCL filed a complaint against Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking immediate registration of FIR and strict action against him over his anti-Muslim hate speech in at an election rally in Banswara (Roytalukdar, 2024). However, no FIR was lodged. The Election Commission also remained equally silent on such demands.
