Overview
- India Hate Lab documented 1,318 in-person hate-speech incidents in 2025, up from 1,165 in 2024 and 668 in 2023.
- Of the 2025 total, 1,164 incidents occurred in states and union territories governed by the BJP or its allies.
- The report says 98% of incidents targeted Muslims and 12% included anti-Christian rhetoric, with some overlap between the two.
- April recorded the sharpest monthly surge with 158 incidents, including nearly 100 between April 22 and May 7 following violence in Kashmir and cross-border fighting with Pakistan.
- The U.S.-based project says it applies the UN definition of hate speech; the Indian embassy did not immediately comment and Modi’s party denies discriminatory intent.