India Hate Lab (IHL)

The Wire: The Digital Construction of Hindutva Needs More Attention

The rise of digital technology has fundamentally transformed political discourse worldwide. In India, this transformation has provided fertile ground for the ideological entrenchment of Hindutva, an exclusionary nationalist movement that seeks to redefine Indian identity along religious lines. Social media platforms such as WhatsApp, X (previously Twitter), and Facebook serve as critical arenas for Hindutva’s […]

Frontline: Old formula, new laboratory: Hindutva finds fresh ground in Maharashtra

The riots that broke out in Nagpur on the evening of March 17 have drawn national attention to the rising incidents of communal tension in Maharashtra. Nagpur, the headquarters of the RSS, is the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari. Both Fadnavis and […]

The Times of India: ‘210 incidents of hate speech targeting minorities’

Mumbai: Criticising the Mahayuti govt on the issue of freedom of speech, Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh, speaking in the assembly, claimed that at least 210 incidents of hate speech were reported against minorities in Maharashtra in 2024, but no cases were registered against ruling party netas, including ministers who made provocative speeches. “A total […]

Media India Group: Despite bans, hate speech in India on the rise

Hate speech in India, despite being prohibited under the Indian Civil Code, is becoming an increasingly widespread issue. It is frequently used by political parties to push their agendas, often targeting minorities based on caste, religion, or sexual orientation. A recent report by the India Hate Lab (IHL), a Washington-based research organisation, highlights a troubling […]

People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI): Hate Speech Events in India 2024

India Hate Lab (IHL) published this report in February 2025. It records and investigates hate speech incidents that occurred all across the country in the year 2024. The report notes that the number of hate speech incidents increased from 668 in 2023 to 1,165 in 2024, marking a 74.4 per cent rise. It lists nationalist festivals, […]