It is an unfortunate truth that hate speeches have been normalised in India’s public and political discourses. The rise of hate speech in the public square coincided with the electoral ascendancy of the BJP. This implied a rise of 13% in hate speeches compared to such incidents in 2024, and a 97% spike from the corresponding figure in 2023. Strikingly, the report also found that of the 1,318 events, 88% of hate speeches took place in BJP-ruled states. But the key point, as was made by one of the learned judges, pertains to the responsibility of India’s political leaders to foster the spirit of fraternity.

Source: The Telegraph February 20, 2026 02:32 UTC