India Hate Lab recorded 1,318 instances of hate speech in 2025, a 13 percent increase from 1,165 in 2024 and up from 668 in 2023, Reuters, Kanishka Singh, 13 January 2026. Of the 2025 incidents, 1,164 occurred in states or union territories governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party or its coalitions, India Hate Lab reported, Reuters, 13 January 2026.

April 2025 saw the highest monthly spike, 158 events, with nearly 100 between 22 April and 7 May amid cross-border and internal security tensions, Reuters, 13 January 2026. India Hate Lab uses the UN definition of hate speech, and its methodology and findings have been disputed by Indian authorities.

Sources used, UN News, 17 January 2026, United Nations, 17 January 2026, The Guardian, Julianne Schultz, 17 January 2026, Human Rights Watch, Allan Ngari, January 2026, Human Rights Watch joint statement to UN Human Rights Council, January 2026, Human Rights Watch, Opinio Juris commentary, January 2026, Human Rights Watch, Matthew Reysio-Cruz, January 2026, Human Rights Watch, Bill Van Esveld, January 2026, Reuters, 20 November 2025, Reuters, Kanishka Singh, 13 January 2026.