According to a report by a Washington-based research group, cases of hate speech against minorities, including Muslims and Christians, in India increased by 13 percent in 2025. India Hate Lab reported 1,318 such cases in 2025, up from 1,165 in 2024 and 668 in 2023. These events took place in political rallies, religious processions, protest marches and cultural events.
Karnataka’s hate speech law will curb hate speech
According to the report, out of the total incidents, 1,164 cases occurred in states and union territories where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in power directly or in alliance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party have been rejecting allegations of discrimination, saying their policies, such as food subsidy and electrification schemes, benefit all communities.
April 2025 saw the largest monthly spike in hate speech incidents, when 158 cases were reported. About 100 of these incidents occurred between April 22 and May 7, which came to light after an attack on tourists in Pahalgam in Kashmir and a four-day stand-long clash between India and Pakistan.