ISLAMABAD: India witnessed a sharp escalation in organized hate speech in 2025, with incidents increasingly normalized within mainstream political and social life, according to the annual Hate Speech Events in India report released by the Centre for the Study of Organised Hate (CSoH).
The report, compiled by the India Hate Lab (IHL), documented 1,318 in-person hate speech events targeting religious minorities across 21 states, one Union Territory, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi during 2025.
This translates to an average of four hate speech events per day, marking a 13% rise from 2024 and a 97% increase since 2023, when 668 incidents were recorded.
Muslims primary targets
Muslims were the primary targets, with 1,289 speeches, 98% of the total, directed against them, either exclusively or alongside Christians.
Hate speech targeting Christians was recorded in 162 incidents, accounting for 12% of all events and reflecting a 41% increase over the previous year.
The highest number of incidents was recorded in Uttar Pradesh (266), Maharashtra (193), Madhya Pradesh (172), Uttarakhand (155), and Delhi (76).
BJP-ruled states
Notably, 88% of all hate speech events occurred in states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or its coalition partners, a 25% increase from 2024.
In contrast, opposition-ruled states saw a 34% decline in such incidents.
April emerged as the most volatile month, with 158 events.
In the 16 days between April 22 and May 7 alone, 98 hate speech events were documented.
‘Love jihad’
Nearly half of all speeches referenced conspiracy theories, including “love jihad,” “population jihad,” and others.
Alarmingly, 308 speeches contained explicit calls for violence, while 136 included direct calls to arms, representing a significant year-on-year increase.
Maharashtra recorded the highest number of dangerous speeches, with nearly 40% involving calls for violence.
Violent rhetoric
State minister Nitesh Rane ranked among the top five individuals issuing violent rhetoric nationwide.
The report also highlights calls for boycotts, demands for the destruction of places of worship, and widespread dehumanizing language against minorities.
Over 160 organizations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, were identified as organizers, while social media platforms, particularly Facebook, played a central role in amplifying hate speech through video dissemination.
According to the report, the findings underscore the deep entrenchment of hate speech within India’s political ecosystem and raise serious concerns about minority safety and democratic norms.
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