IQNA

India Sees Rise in Hate Speech to Aftermath of Pahalgam Attack

9:19 - May 04, 2025
News ID: 3492926
IQNA – A new report by India Hate Lab (IHL) has documented 64 instances of hate speech delivered at public events across nine Indian states and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir between April 22 and May 2.

India Sees Rise in Hate Speech to Aftermath of Pahalgam Attack

 

Maharashtra accounted for the highest number of such incidents, according to Indian news outlets.

The surge in hate speech events occurred in the wake of a militant attack in Pahalgam, a town in Jammu and Kashmir known for its scenic landscapes and annual Hindu pilgrimage. The April 21 attack claimed the lives of 26 tourists and was widely condemned. Following the incident, Hindu nationalist groups reportedly initiated a coordinated campaign that included rallies marked by anti-Muslim rhetoric.

The report identifies organizations such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP), Rashtriya Bajrang Dal (RBD), and others as organizers of the events. IHL asserts that these groups are “exploiting the tragedy to inflame communal tensions and mobilize calls for violence, social exclusion, and economic boycotts.”

Read More:

Maharashtra saw 17 incidents, followed by Uttar Pradesh (13), Uttarakhand (6), Haryana (6), Rajasthan (5), Madhya Pradesh (5), Himachal Pradesh (5), Bihar (4), and Chhattisgarh (2).

According to the report, speakers at these gatherings frequently used inflammatory and dehumanizing language to describe Muslims and, in some instances, promoted violence and exclusion. IHL notes that public figures, including a BJP legislator, participated in several events and called for boycotts, spread anti-Muslim conspiracy theories, and encouraged the arming of Hindus.

 

 Source: Agencies

captcha