A new report by the India Hate Lab (IHL) sheds light on the concerning surge of anti-Muslim hate speech events in India, with an average of nearly two incidents per day in 2023. Released on Monday, the report tracks the geographical distribution of hate speech, its triggers, and the conspiracy theories employed to fuel anti-Muslim sentiments.

Throughout 2023, hate speech events peaked between August and November, coinciding with political campaigning and polling in four major states, according to the IHL report. The study documented a total of 668 hate speech events, revealing that 75 percent of these occurred in states governed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Geographically, Maharashtra in the west recorded 118 incidents, Uttar Pradesh in the north saw 104 incidents, and Madhya Pradesh in central India experienced 65 incidents. Even smaller states, such as Haryana and Uttarakhand in northern India, contributed significantly, with 48 and 6 percent of hate speech events, respectively. Both states have also witnessed a rise in anti-Muslim violence.

The report highlights the government's response, noting that the IHL website was blocked in India under the controversial Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000. The website of Hindutva Watch, an independent hate-crime tracker associated with IHL, faced similar censorship.

One striking revelation from the report is the weaponization of the Israel-Gaza conflict by far-right groups in India. Since October 7, 2023, one in every five hate speech events invoked the conflict, with a peak in November. This tactic exacerbated tensions and contributed significantly to the alarming surge in anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Prem Shukla, a national spokesperson of the BJP, responded to the report by claiming that the party opposes "Islamic fundamentalist forces." Shukla dismissed the IHL data, alleging bias and stating that the so-called secular states are also engaging in hate speeches.

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