A report by India Hate Lab (IHL) documented 64 hate speech events in person organized in nine Indian states and the Indians illegally occupied Jammu-Cachemire (iiojk) between April 22 and May 2, with the Maharashtra recording the greatest number, The news reported, citing the Indian media.
These incidents took place in the aftermath of Pahalgam’s attack and were part of what the report described as a coordinated national campaign of hatred and intimidation targeting Muslims, led by Hindu far right groups.
The DIH report noted that most of the gatherings have been organized by Hindu nationalist organizations, notably the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, Antarrashtriya Hindu (AHP), Rashtriya Bajrang Dal (RBD), Hindu Janajagruti, Sakal Hindu Saamou Raksha Dal.
“These groups exploit tragedy to ignite community tensions and mobilize calls for violence, social exclusion and economic boycott,” said the report.
Among the States, the Maharashtra recorded the highest number with 17 incidents, followed by the Uttar Pradesh (13), Uttarakhand (6), Haryana (6), Rajasthan (5), Madhya Pradesh (5), Himhal Pradesh (5), Bihar (4) and Chhattisgarh (2).
The report indicates that the speakers of these events systematically used dehumanizing language, referring to Muslims as “green snakes”, “Keede” (insects) and “Mad Dogs”. He also noted that in many cases, speakers have prompted violence and have threats to expel Muslims from localities.
According to the report, between April 23 and 29, several hate speech events took place in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Far -right figures, including the deputy for the BJP Nandkishor Gurjar and the members of the Hindu nationalist groups, used dehumanizing insults for Muslims, called for their economic and social boycott, incited violence and urged Hindus to arm.
In several rallies, speakers have threatened to expel Muslims and spread the theories of the conspiracy binding them to Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The report note that the wave of hate speech has been accompanied by a Troubling Rise in Hate Crimes and Violence Targeting Muslims —Particularly Kashmiris – Citing Incidents Such As the Assault and Arson of Muslim Street Vendors in Haryana, Attacks on Kashmiri Shawl Sellers, and Threats by A Leader in uttarakhand, as well as the brutal axe attack on a muslim man in uttar pradesh, where the attacker would have shouted: “Twenty-six were killed; Twenty-six of yours will also die. ”
DIH researchers observed that most of these hatred speeches in person were either broadcast live or recorded and uploaded to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or X, considerably amplating their impact and extending their scope to millions of viewers.
“The rapid spread of this content demonstrates the dangerous link between online hatred ecosystems and offline violence,” they said.
