In its annual report, the India Hate Lab (IHL), part of the Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH), documented 1,318 hate speech events targeting religious minorities, primarily Muslims and Christians, across 21 states in India. This figure represents a 13% increase from 2024 and a staggering 97% rise from 2023, when 668 incidents were recorded.
The report classified these hate speech events according to the United Nations definition and included various forms of hate rhetoric such as conspiracy theories, calls for violence, economic boycotts, demands for the seizure of places of worship, dehumanizing language, and specific targeting of Rohingya refugees.
Of the total hate speech incidents recorded, 98% (1,289 speeches) targeted Muslims, either explicitly in 1,156 cases or in conjunction with Christians in 133 cases. This marks nearly a 12% increase from 2024. Hate speech against Christians was documented in 162 events, representing 12% of all incidents, which reflects a 41% rise from the previous year’s 115 incidents.
The majority of these hate speeches occurred in states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Approximately 88% (1,164) of all incidents took place in BJP-ruled states, BJP-led National Democratic Alliance coalition states, and BJP-administered Union Territories. This indicates a 25% increase from the 931 incidents recorded in these areas in 2024. Throughout the year, the BJP held power in 16 of the 23 states and Union Territories analyzed, accounting for 65% of all hate speech events. Uttar Pradesh (266), Maharashtra (193), Madhya Pradesh (172), Uttarakhand (155), and Delhi (76) had the highest incidences.
In contrast, states governed by opposition parties reported only 154 hate speech events in 2025, a decline of 34% from 234 incidents in 2024.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, known for their extreme Hindutva views, were linked to 289 hate speech events (22%), followed by the Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP) with 138 events. More than 160 organizations and informal groups were identified as participants in hate speech activities throughout the year.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was cited as the most prominent figure in hate speech, delivering 71 speeches, followed by AHP head Pravin Togadia with 46 and BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay with 35. Hindu monks and religious leaders were associated with 145 incidents, indicating a 27% increase from 2024.
Nearly half of the recorded hate speeches (656 incidents) invoked conspiracy theories such as “love jihad,” “land jihad,” and “population jihad,” reflecting a 13% rise from the previous year. Furthermore, 308 speeches included explicit calls for violence, with 136 directly advocating arms, representing a 19% rise in violent rhetoric.
Maharashtra had the highest number of hazardous speeches, with 78 incidents, nearly 40% of which contained calls for violence—the highest proportion for any state. The year also noted 120 speeches advocating boycotts of minority communities, mainly targeting Muslims, and 276 speeches calling for the removal or destruction of mosques, shrines, and churches. Notably, the Gyanvapi Mosque and Shahi Idgah Mosque in Uttar Pradesh were often named among the most targeted sites.
Dehumanizing language characterized 141 speeches, with minorities referred to in derogatory terms such as “termites,” “parasites,” and “bloodthirsty zombies.”
Social media played a significant role in amplifying hate speech, with video content from 1,278 of the 1,318 hate events shared or live-streamed online. Facebook was the primary platform, facilitating 942 of the initial uploads, followed by YouTube (246), Instagram (67), and X (23).
Dr. Eviane Leidig, Director of Research at CSOH, noted that while both domestic and international events continued to trigger episodic spikes in hate speech, a more persistent baseline was observed throughout the year.
Unlike previous years where hate speech waned outside of election cycles, 2025 saw sustained activity even during non-election periods. Raqib Hameed Naik, Executive Director of CSOH, indicated that this shift reflects a move toward decentralized, ground-level mobilization by Hindu nationalist groups, focused on maintaining anti-Muslim fear and hostility in daily political life ahead of upcoming elections.
The report highlights the persistent and alarming nature of hate speech incidents targeting religious minorities in India, signifying a troubling trend in the realm of communal relations.
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