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| Exposing the Rise of Anti-Muslim Hate Speech: Insights from the India Hate Lab |
India Hate Lab, a research group based in the United States, released alarming findings in February 2024, shedding light on the exponential increase in both online and offline hate rhetoric targeting Muslims in India during 2023. This surge underscores the volatile communal fault lines present in the country.
Profile and Methodology of India Hate Lab:
Comprised of interdisciplinary researchers from the Indian diaspora, the India Hate Lab utilizes technology-assisted qualitative monitoring of regional language public platforms, including speeches, media, and social networks. Their aim is to identify patterns of anti-minority hate speech.
Key Objective:
The primary objective of the India Hate Lab is to systematically highlight provocative content that stereotypes and dehumanizes marginalized religious groups. Through this, they seek to promote accountability, advocate for policy change, and enhance capacities for activism.
Findings of the 2023 India Analysis:
The 2023 report titled 'Hate Speech Events in India' revealed alarming statistics, with 668 documented instances of hate speech targeting Muslims. This translates to nearly two cases per day, with a significant 62% increase in the second half of the year, particularly after elections in key states. Notably, 75% of these hate speech events occurred in states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Key Trends Across Incidents:
Several concerning trends emerged from the analysis of hate speech incidents in 2023, including calls for explicit economic and social boycotts of Muslims, the propagation of dehumanizing stereotypes such as likening Muslims to termites and vermin, and the justification of past and potential mob violence.
Notable Events Review:
The report highlighted several significant events, including hate assemblies organized by right-wing religious figures, communal sloganeering at processions leading to violence in various states, and the amplification of Islamophobic fake news through online trolling, particularly during controversies like that involving Nupur Sharma. The report also criticized social media platforms for their delayed action against accounts promoting hate speech, which only occurred following public pressure.
Call for Legal Accountability:
Emphasizing the link between hate speech and violence, the report called for greater legal accountability. It highlighted the inadequate response of law enforcement agencies, with police complaints rarely resulting in FIRs. Activists demanded Supreme Court guidelines to ensure that investigating agencies take action against hate speech perpetrators, regardless of their political affiliations.