The Rising Tide of Hate Against Muslims in India

India, once celebrated as the world’s largest democracy, is increasingly grappling with a surge in religious division and hate-driven politics that threaten its social fabric. The Muslim community, in particular, faces relentless propaganda, with new campaigns targeting them almost daily. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), are often accused of stoking Hindu-Muslim tensions to distract from pressing economic issues. From inflammatory speeches by BJP leaders to targeted attacks on Muslim religious figures, the situation has deteriorated to the point where India’s democratic credentials are being questioned. This article delves into the issue, citing recent incidents, analyzing social media trends (especially on X), and presenting evidence to argue that India is drifting toward becoming a Hindu-majority state rather than a secular democracy.

Diverting Attention from Economic Woes: The Politics of Hate

India’s economy is facing significant challenges—rising inflation, unemployment, and a sluggish post-COVID recovery have left millions struggling. In this context, the BJP’s strategy appears clear: shift focus from economic failures by playing the religious card. Reports from 2025 indicate a sharp rise in Hindu-Muslim conflicts, particularly during election seasons. For instance, during the February 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, BJP leaders labeled Muslims as “infiltrators,” echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rhetoric from the 2024 general elections.

According to the India Hate Lab’s 2024 report (updated in 2025), hate speech against religious minorities surged by 74%, with 98.5% of incidents targeting Muslims. These speeches were most prevalent in BJP-ruled states, where 79.9% of such events occurred, often involving Hindu extremist groups like the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, who called for economic boycotts and issued threats of violence against Muslims. This tactic effectively diverts public attention from unemployment and inflation to divisive religious narratives.

Inflammatory Rhetoric by BJP Leaders: Targeting Muslims

BJP leaders and workers frequently use venomous language against Muslims, deepening societal divides. A notable example is from September 2025 in Indore, West Bengal, where BJP Vice President Ek Lovya Singh Gaur instructed textile traders to fire their Muslim employees within a month, resulting in at least 50 Muslim workers losing their jobs. On X, Dr. Shama Mohamed, a Congress National Spokesperson, posted: “The BJP’s hatred against Muslims has crossed all limits. In Indore, BJP VP Ek Lovya Singh Gaur ordered textile traders to sack Muslim employees. At least 50 poor Muslims lost their jobs.” The post received 92 likes and 33 reposts, reflecting public outrage.

Another incident occurred in Maharashtra, where BJP Minister Nitesh Rane, in April 2025, called for an economic boycott of Muslims following an attack in Kashmir. He stated: “If they are doing this on religious grounds, why should we buy from them and make them rich?” Such statements not only fuel hatred but also legitimize economic violence against Muslims.

Recent Incidents: A Surge in Violence and Propaganda

The year 2025 has seen a spike in violence against Muslims. The South Asia Justice Campaign’s India Persecution Tracker (January-March 2025) reported that at least six Muslims were killed by police and security forces across four states. Hate speeches by BJP leaders, Hindu extremist groups, and religious figures have continued to escalate.

• Behiyal Village, Gujarat (September 2025): When Muslims launched an online campaign called “I Love Mohsin Mohammed,” Bajrang Dal members attacked Muslim homes at 3 a.m., assaulting women and children. Locals reported that the police, colluding with the Hindu mob, arrested only Muslims. The Indian American Muslim Council posted on X: “Violence erupted in Behiyal village, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, when Hindu extremist groups targeted Muslims’ ‘I Love Mohammed’ campaign. Police arrested only Muslims.” The post garnered 4 likes, signaling international attention.
• Chandipur, West Bengal (September 2025): A Hindu youth was accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad, prompting an Islamist mob to pelt stones at a police station. This incident highlights how propaganda fuels tensions on both sides, though BJP policies disproportionately embolden Hindu extremism.
• Shravasti, Uttar Pradesh (September 2025): Islamists attacked Hindus, pelting stones and throwing chili powder at a Durga Puja pandal. An X user, Mr. Sinha, shared a video: “Not a single day passes without such incidents, yet the BJP continues to suppress Muslims.”
• Cow Vigilantism and Demolitions: Human Rights Watch’s 2025 World Report noted that Hindu vigilante groups demolished Muslim homes under the guise of “bulldozer justice.” In June 2025, 11 Muslim homes in Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, were razed after beef was allegedly found in a refrigerator. Between 2010 and 2017, 84% of cow vigilantism victims were Muslims, with 97% of incidents occurring after May 2014, when the Modi government came to power.

Targeting Prophet Muhammad: A New Weapon to Hurt Muslims

Recently, BJP supporters have resorted to targeting Prophet Muhammad to provoke Muslims. In September 2025, several X posts contained derogatory remarks about the Prophet, reminiscent of the 2022 Nupur Sharma controversy. (In 2022, BJP National Spokesperson Nupur Sharma made blasphemous comments about Prophet Muhammad and Hazrat Aisha during a TV debate, sparking protests from Muslim countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.) In 2025, BJP-affiliated accounts posted similar content, labeling the Prophet a “criminal.” When Muslims protested, they faced arrests, bulldozer demolitions, and accusations of rioting.

An X post stated: “Muslims’ ‘I Love Mohammed’ campaign was attacked by a Hindu mob, and police arrested only Muslims.” Such provocations not only hurt religious sentiments but also incite violence.

Muslim Protests vs. Hindu Privileges: A Double Standard

When Muslims stage protests or display posters, they are branded as “troublemakers” and suppressed. In contrast, Hindu groups like Bajrang Dal or karsevaks enjoy police protection during their yatras or rallies. Reports from 2025 highlight police complicity in Hindu extremist rallies, while peaceful Muslim protests face bulldozers and arrests. Students and others protesting against violence have been silenced by the BJP government.

This double standard underscores a growing disparity in rights. The RSS, founded in 1925, promotes the concept of a Hindu Rashtra and labels Muslims as “anti-national.” As a result, India is increasingly described as an “electoral autocracy,” according to the V-Dem Institute’s 2025 report.

Conclusion: India’s Slide Toward a Hindu Rashtra

India is no longer the secular democracy it once claimed to be; it is steadily transforming into a Hindu Rashtra where Muslims’ rights are systematically eroded. The BJP and RSS’s hate-driven politics prioritize division over economic progress. The public, media, civil society, and international community must raise their voices against this trend. If unchecked, India’s dream of unity and harmony risks being shattered.

References and Further Reading:

• India Hate Lab Report 2024
• Human Rights Watch World Report 2025
• South Asia Justice Campaign Persecution Tracker