New Delhi, January 15, 2026 — A sharp escalation in hate speech targeting religious minorities marked 2025 in India, with researchers documenting 1,318 verified incidents—a 13% rise from the previous year—according to a new report from the India Hate Lab (IHL).
The report, released on January 13, paints a grim picture of normalized vitriol against Muslims and Christians, averaging four hate speech events per day across 21 states, one union territory, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Nearly all—98% or 1,289 events—zeroed in on Muslims, either solely or alongside Christians, underscoring the precarious position of these communities amid rising Hindu nationalist rhetoric.
Uttar Pradesh led the nation with 266 incidents, followed closely by Maharashtra (193), Madhya Pradesh (172), Uttarakhand (155), and Delhi (76). These hotspots reflect a broader trend where political rallies, religious processions, protest marches, and nationalist gatherings served as platforms for inflammatory speeches, with 1,278 events captured on video and disseminated via social media.
### Surge in Conspiracy Theories and Calls for Violence
IHL's analysis revealed disturbing patterns in the content of these speeches. Nearly half—656 instances—included conspiracy-laden narratives like "love jihad," "land jihad," "population jihad," and newer variants such as "thook (spit) jihad," "education jihad," "drug jihad," and "vote jihad." These tropes, which surged 13% from 2024, portray minorities as existential threats to Hindu society.
Explicit threats were rampant: 308 speeches issued direct calls for violence, while 136 urged arming supporters. Economic and social ostracism was another weapon, with 120 events demanding boycotts of Muslim businesses and communities—an 8% uptick from the prior year. Dehumanizing slurs proliferated in 141 cases, likening minorities to "termites," "parasites," "insects," "pigs," "mad dogs," and "bloodthirsty zombies."
The report also spotlighted attacks on sacred spaces, with 276 speeches advocating the demolition of mosques, shrines, and churches. Vulnerable groups faced targeted vitriol, including 69 events against Rohingya refugees and 192 invoking the "Bangladeshi infiltrator" stereotype.
### Entrenched in Politics and Amplified Online
IHL attributes this escalation to the entrenchment of hate speech in India's political fabric, particularly under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led governance. "Hate speech has become a routine mechanism for Hindu far-right mobilization," the report states, arguing that it polarizes voters, bolsters majoritarian support, and heightens risks of real-world violence for minorities.
Social media's role cannot be overstated. Platforms' lax enforcement has fostered "digital impunity," allowing videos of these events to go viral unchecked, the researchers note. This online amplification, they warn, normalizes hostility and paves the way for offline discrimination and assaults.
The findings align with broader observations of anti-minority trends. A recent Al Jazeera investigation highlighted a shift toward Christian targets, with Hindu extremists expanding beyond longstanding anti-Muslim campaigns. Similarly, coverage in The Wire emphasized Uttar Pradesh's dominance in the data, linking it to the state's polarized political climate.
### Calls for Urgent Action
As India grapples with these revelations, IHL urges immediate interventions: stricter enforcement of hate speech laws, platform accountability through algorithmic moderation, and civil society-led awareness campaigns. "Without systemic change, the vulnerability of Muslim and Christian communities will only deepen," the report concludes.
The 2025 data serves as a stark reminder that words can wound—and incite. With elections looming in several states, advocates fear the rhetoric could intensify, demanding proactive steps from authorities to safeguard pluralism in the world's largest democracy.
India Hate Lab, an independent research collective, defines hate speech per UN standards as prejudiced or discriminatory language inciting hostility toward individuals or groups based on identity.
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