1,318 Hate Speeches Recorded Last Year; 41% Increase Targeting Christians

New Delhi: Hate speeches against religious minorities in India have seen a sharp increase, according to a recent report. In 2025, a total of 1,318 hate speeches were documented, with a 41% rise in those specifically targeting Christians, the US-based ‘India Hate Lab’ reported. Organisations leading these efforts include the BJP, VHP, Bajrang Dal, RSS, International Hindu Parishad (IHP), and Sakaal Hindu Samaj.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami of the BJP delivered the highest number of hate speeches, totalling 70. He was followed by IHP leader Praveen Tegadi with 46. Union Home Minister Amit Shah ranked sixth with 27 speeches, while UP Chief Minister Adityanath was ninth with 22.

Majority target Muslims
Of the total hate speeches, 1,289 targeted Muslims. In 162 instances, Christians were directly targeted, while in 133 cases, both Muslims and Christians were referenced. In 2024, there were 115 hate speeches against Christians, marking a 41% increase compared to the previous year.

Conspiracy theories frequently cited in speeches against Muslims include Rohingya Muslims, Bangladeshi infiltrators, Love Jihad, Land Jihad, Population Jihad, Jihad (spitting on food), Education Jihad, Drug Jihad, and Vote Jihad. The report also notes that hate speeches occur even outside election periods. In 2024, India recorded 1,147 hate speeches nationwide, a 12% increase from the previous year.

88% occur in BJP-ruled states
The report found that 88% of all hate speeches (1,164) took place in BJP-governed states. Uttar Pradesh (266), Maharashtra (193), Madhya Pradesh (172), Uttarakhand (155), and Delhi (76) led the count. This represents a 25% increase compared to the previous year. Opposition-ruled states accounted for 154 speeches, with Kerala recording the fewest – just seven. Among opposition states, Karnataka topped the list with 40, while Telangana and Himachal Pradesh recorded 16 and 29 respectively.