NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again turned hatred and violence against Muslims into a political weapon to secure electoral gains. Reports indicate that during election periods, Hindu extremist groups backed by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensify their attacks and hate campaigns against the Muslim community.
The BJP’s alliance with the far-right Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) continues to fuel anti-Muslim sentiments, often resulting in widespread violence. Mainstream Indian media, often accused of serving the government’s agenda, portrays Muslims as criminals and enemies of the nation, further deepening societal divisions.
According to a report by Al Jazeera, BJP-ruled states witness a significant rise in hate speeches and online hate campaigns targeting Muslims during elections. The report highlights that Indian media downplays incidents of mob lynching, arson, and attacks on Muslim homes and shops, treating them as routine occurrences. Al Jazeera also noted that Hindu extremists celebrate such acts of violence, while journalists who report on hate crimes face intimidation and harassment.
A Reuters report revealed alarming statistics: in 2023, 668 incidents of hate speech against Muslims were recorded, rising to 1,165 in 2024. Similarly, the Indian news outlet The Quint reported that between April and May of this year, at least 184 hate crimes were documented across the country.
Under Modi’s leadership, hostility, discrimination, and violence against Muslims have become disturbingly normalized. Experts say that by igniting anti-Muslim sentiment, Modi seeks to consolidate the support of hardline Hindu voters—an indication of both political manipulation and moral decline.
