Facebook stalling report on human rights impact in India, allege whistleblowers
GuardianNov 24, 2021
Report: Anti-Muslim Hate Speech Surges in India
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The Facts
According to a report published by Washington-based research group India Hate Lab on Monday, India witnessed a 62% rise in anti-Muslim hate speech in the second half of 2023 compared to the first six months.
The group documented 255 hate speech events that targeted Muslims in the first half of last year, while it recorded 413 such incidents in the last six months of 2023, adding the Gaza war considerably fueled the uptick.
The Spin
Right narrative
India's left-leaning media has frequently displayed Hinduphobic tendencies in their routine coverage, often turning into purveyors of hatred and bigotry. The media projects Hindu nationalism as militant and anti-Muslim and as a threat to India's secular values. Under the pretense of highlighting majority oppression, media outlets are often biased in linking Hinduism to hate speech and bigotry. This bias needs to be called out.
Left narrative
Hate speech against Muslims — including calls to free India of their very presence — has become routine in India in recent years and is expected to intensify as the national election approaches. Though other religious groups like Christians also face hate speech, the intensity of the problem confronting India's largest religious minority is of a wholly different scale. This is besides their victimization through economic boycotts, property destruction, and unfair imprisonment.
