Modi's BJP Linked With Most Hate Speech in India: Report

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party and affiliated groups were behind most hate speech events against Muslims during the first half of the year, according to a report released on Monday. Some 80% of the 255 documented incidents of “hate speech gatherings targeting Muslims” occurred in Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states and union territories, according to a report from Hindutva Watch. Though India doesn’t have an official definition for hate speech, the research group used language from the United Nations, which characterizes hate speech as “any form” of communication that employs “prejudiced or discriminatory language towards an individual group based on attributes such as religion, ethnicity, nationality and race.” The report found that Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat witnessed the highest number of gatherings with hate speech. “As this report documents, some of the purveyors of hate speech include chief ministers, legislators, and senior leaders from the ruling BJP.”