Hate Crimes, Mob Lynchings & Hate Speech on the Rise in BJP States

Minorities Under Attack

947 Hate Crimes in One Year of Modi’s Rule

Civil Rights Report

Introduction In a grim and eye-opening revelation, The Association for Protection of Civil Rights and the Quill Foundation jointly released a detailed report titled “Hate Crime Report: Mapping First Year of Modi’s Third Government”, documenting an alarming 947 hate-related incidents across India in the first year of the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA)’s third term. The findings of the report cover the period from June 7, 2024, to June 7, 2025, raising pressing questions about the erosion of civil liberties and the increasing normalization of hate-fueled violence and speech.

By Naveed Uddin Khan Uzair

Key Findings of the Report: Out of the total 947 hate-related incidents recorded:

345 were categorized as hate speech.
602 were categorized as hate crimes.

Of the 602 hate crimes:

174 incidents involved physical violence.
29 resulted in the death of the victims.
All victims in these fatal attacks were from the Muslim community.

The distribution of hate crimes by state indicates a disturbing pattern:

Uttar Pradesh: 217 incidents
Maharashtra: 101 incidents
Madhya Pradesh: 100 incidents
Uttarakhand: 84 incidents

All these states are governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), adding to the debate about the complicity of state machinery in either overlooking or failing to prevent these acts.

Hate Crimes: The Human Cost. The categorization of the 602 hate crime incidents paints a horrifying picture:

398 were cases of harassment or intimidation.
124 involved mob violence.
174 led to physical attacks.
29 led to the death of victims.

This continuous wave of hate crimes primarily targeted Muslims, followed by Christians in several cases. The numbers highlight a disturbing pattern of victimization that undermines the very essence of India’s secular and pluralistic identity.

Underreported and Ignored. The report also sheds light on regions like Manipur, which has been grappling with ethnic violence. Shockingly, only one hate crime was officially recorded in Manipur, raising questions about underreporting and government transparency.

Hate Speech: Political Endorsement and Institutional Support. Of the 345 hate speech incidents recorded:

257 were made by individuals affiliated with political parties or right-wing organizations.
The BJP led the count with 178 incidents.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal contributed 21 and 20 incidents, respectively.

Most troublingly:

5 hate speeches were attributed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
63 were made by the BJP Chief Ministers.
71 were made by elected government officials.

These speeches were largely delivered in public rallies (288), with others made in parliament/assembly (7), online (23), and through press interactions (27).

State-Wise Hate Speech Data

Uttar Pradesh: 39 incidents
Maharashtra & Jharkhand: 41 each
Uttarakhand: 39
Madhya Pradesh: 32

Punjab and Kashmir recorded the least number of hate speech incidents, hinting at regional variations in tolerance and state response.

Spike Post-Pahalgam Attack The April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, triggered an immediate surge in hate-fueled incidents:

87 hate crimes were recorded shortly after the attack.
20 hate speech incidents followed, specifically targeting Muslims.
136 Muslims were directly affected.
Out of 87 crimes, 51 were directly linked to the terror incident; the remaining 36 were not, indicating a spillover effect.

The report noted that during this period, at least 7 hate crimes were reported each day, reflecting an urgent need for intervention.

Understanding the Subtext of Hate Speech. The report explores how hate speech goes beyond mere words:

It often includes hate-filled stereotypes.
Promotes disputed religious claims.
Encourages violence through dehumanization and incitement.

Such rhetoric not only endangers lives but also undermines democratic values, promotes division, and normalizes intolerance.

Conclusion: The report by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights and the Quill Foundation serves as a critical mirror reflecting a dark and dangerous undercurrent in Indian society. It calls for urgent reforms, accountability, and introspection by political leadership, judiciary, civil society, and the media.

India stands at a crossroads: continue down this perilous path of hate and division, or return to the foundational values of pluralism, tolerance, and justice. This report is not just a statistic sheet; it’s a wake-up call. If left unchecked, the legacy of hate will be the biggest threat to the world’s largest democracy.