MM Report
WASHINGTON: A US-based research group, India Hate Lab, has reported a rise in hate crimes targeting minorities in India during 2025. According to the report, Muslims and other minority communities experienced a 13% increase in hate-related incidents compared with the previous year.
The group noted that many of these incidents occurred in states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led nationally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is a longstanding member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The report describes the RSS as the ideological backbone of the BJP, alleging that extremist elements within the organization are behind the targeted violence, with the support of central and provincial governments along with their machineries, including local polic.
In total, 1,318 hate incidents against minorities were recorded in 2025. Of these, 1,164 occurred in BJP-ruled states. The month of April saw the highest number of incidents, with 158 reported cases. During heightened tensions between Pakistan and India from 22 April to 7 May, 100 incidents were documented.
The report also notes that the number of hate incidents has been rising steadily over the years: 1,165 incidents were recorded in 2024, up from 668 in 2023. International human rights organizations have similarly highlighted growing discrimination and mistreatment of minorities under the Modi government.
The research underlines the continuing challenges faced by minority communities in India and raises concerns about the protection of basic rights in regions where extremist ideologies hold political influence.
