Global human rights groups condemn BJP’s anti-Muslim rhetoric for poll gains

As the election season in India culminates, 50 international human rights groups have condemned the anti-Muslim rhetoric used by Hindu supremacist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the other members of his Bharatiya Janata Party during polling campaigns. 

“Despite repeated complaints by India’s opposition parties and tens of thousands of concerned citizens, Prime Minister Modi has continuously targeted Indian Muslims and his political opponents alike in his hate speeches, fanning the flames of an already dangerous climate of anti-minority hate and violence in the nation,” the statement read. 

Hindu leader says “Muslims shouldn’t be in India,” urges Hindus to vote for BJP

In Jehanabad, Bihar, a Hindu supremacist leader peddled anti-Muslim disinformation to garner votes for the ruling BJP. 

“Muslims shouldn’t be in India. Pakistan is meant for them,” he told the crowd. 

In Ranchi, Jharkhand, BJP leader Laxmikant Vajpayee peddled anti-Muslim conspiracy theories of “love jihad” and “land jihad” to incite hate against Muslims. 

Rise in online abuse towards Muslims in India in last ten years: Report

A recent report “Behind The Pixels: Social Silencing and Isolation of Indian Muslims in the Online Public” stated that the rate of online abuse faced by Muslims has meteorically risen in the last ten years.

The report stated that while Muslim men face online abuse targeting their mothers and sisters, Muslim women most often face death and rape threats. The report also states that although online abuse existed before 2014, it has rapidly and dramatically since the BJP came to power.

Hindu militants march with guns, organize weapons training for minors

Across BJP-ruled states, Hindu militant groups have been conducting weapons training events for members, including minors. Videos of such trainings have surfaced from Gujarat and Rajasthan.

In Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, Hindu extremists including women were seen in military-style street marches flaunting guns and pistols, while raising hateful slogans.