A new report shows a sharp 74 percent rise in hate speech against Muslims and Christians in India in 2024, with researchers linking the surge to election cycles and regional instability. The India Hate Lab documented 1,165 verified offline incidents this year, compared to 668 the year before. These cases unfolded at political rallies, campaign events, religious processions, protests, and other public gatherings, creating a climate where inflammatory rhetoric became almost routine.

The study notes that much of the hate speech drew from established Hindu nationalist narratives that frame minorities as threats or outsiders. Tensions escalated further during moments of regional unrest, especially after misinformation about violence in Bangladesh circulated widely in August. That wave of false claims became a key driver of anti-Muslim sentiment inside India, pushing already charged rhetoric into even more aggressive territory.

Researchers warn that the hate speech documented in 2024 was not only more common but more extreme. Many incidents included open calls for violence, boycotts, or attacks on homes, businesses, and places of worship. Social media played a major role in spreading these messages, with nearly 1,000 videos circulated on platforms like Facebook and YouTube. The report concludes that hate speech is no longer a fringe phenomenon but an entrenched feature of India’s political landscape, signaling a dangerous deepening of majoritarian nationalism.