Modi's Campaign Features Hate Speech Against Minorities

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2024 electoral campaign for utilizing hate speech against Muslims and other minorities, asserting that over 110 out of 173 speeches contained inflammatory remarks aimed at inciting discrimination and violence. The report highlights Modi's false claims that opposition parties would endanger Hindu communities and redistribute wealth to Muslims, which HRW states has further normalized abuses against these groups. These remarks come amid a decade of mounting discrimination under Modi's administration, which has seen unlawful demolitions of Muslim properties dubbed 'bulldozer justice' and numerous reported attacks on religious minorities. In a separate context, Kerala's opposition leader VD Satheesan accused the CPM of engaging in a comparable hate campaign during the Lok Sabha elections, suggesting the party should be held accountable for its actions. Both situations underline a troubling trend in Indian politics where hate speech is leveraged for electoral gain, raising significant concerns about communal harmony. As these incidents unfold, calls for justice and the reversal of discriminatory policies intensify.