'Portfolios of Hate' is out
The report reveals venomous hate and Islamophobia utilised to gain or retain power in India has doubled.
‘Portfolios of Hate’ comprises a curated list of non-exhaustive of 70 instances of hate speech, meticulously recorded by national media houses from across various regions in India. Of the 70 incidents analysed, involving 36 personalities, a striking trend emerges. During the first term of the BJP-led NDA government (2014-2019), 23 incidents of hate speech were recorded. However, this number doubled during the second term (2019-2024), with 47 cases reported.
This significant surge in hate speech instances underscores the re-ascendance of Hindutva ideology to parliamentary power. It has emboldened politicians to propagate Islamophobia, Xenophobia, and other forms of targeted hate with impunity.
The cost of hate:
In many cases, the verbal and symbolic violence of leaders has translated into physical violence by followers on the ground. Hindu religious festivals and mythological references are often invoked to vilify Muslims and other religious minorities.
Broad categories of hate speech:
While the primary focus of the report is on Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred, the incidents included in the document fall into broader categories:
- Islamophobic disinformation campaigns and calls for violence against Muslims.
- Targeted campaigns for violence and social boycotts against religious minorities.
- Speech reflecting patriarchal and misogynistic attitudes towards women.
- Anti-immigrant hate speech to instill fear and foster collective hate.
- Hate and disinformation campaigns against farmers and other marginalized sections protesting authoritarian laws.
By raising awareness about the prevalence and implications of hate speech, we hope to foster dialogue and promote tolerance in our society.
'Portfolios of Hate' released
Here is the video of the launching of our first report of the year ‘Portfolios of Hate. We explain here the key findings of the report
“Denied entry to India for speaking on democratic & constitutional values. I was invited to a conference as esteemed delegate by Govt of #Karnataka (Congress-ruled state) but Centre refused me entry. All my documents were valid & current (UK passport & OCI)”
Prof. Nitasha Kaul, on her deportation
UK-IMC statement in support of Professor Nitasha Kaul
26 Feb 2024
We urge the British government to challenge the deportation of UK Professor Nitasha Kaul and the ongoing attempts of the Indian government to suppress academic freedom
Prof Kaul's deportation is part of a concerning trend of silencing dissenting voices that challenge the authoritarian actions of the Indian government and highlight the Indian government's fragility and oppressive stance against free exchange of ideas.
Professor Nitasha Kaul, a respected scholar in Politics, International Relations and Critical Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Westminster, was in Bangalore at the request of the state government of Karnataka to discuss democratic and constitutional principles. She has been a vocal defender of minority rights in India and a critic of Hindutva (a Hindu supremacist ideology).
The Hindutva regime in India has previously demonstrated similar fragility and authoritarianism towards academia. For instance, in 2022, Filippo Osella, a professor at the University of Sussex in the UK, was forcibly removed from Thiruvananthapuram airport.
As an advocacy movement committed to protecting the rights of Indian Muslims and other minorities while opposing Hindutva and other extremist ideologies, the UK-Indian Muslim Council firmly condemns these cowardly attempts to curtail academic freedom. It is crucial to nurture environments that value diverse viewpoints, critical thinking, and open discussions.
We express unwavering support for Professor Nitasha Kaul and all scholars facing similar challenges in exercising their academic freedom and call on the UK government to confront India's violation of scholars' rights and their essential role in educating and engaging with the public.
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