New Delhi: India has seen a significant increase in anti-Muslim hate incidents and Islamophobic activities following the Pahalgam incident, with Muslims and Kashmiris facing targeted attacks in various states.

A report by India Hate Lab, as published by Kashmir Media Service, titled “64 Anti-Muslim Hate Speech Events Recorded in 10 Days Post-Pahalgam Attack,” documented 64 hate incidents between April 22 and May 2. These incidents occurred across nine Indian states and in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Maharashtra reported the highest number of incidents with 17, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 13. Uttarakhand and Haryana each recorded six incidents. The remaining cases were spread across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh. Following the Pahalgam incident, Hindutva groups such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, and others conducted coordinated campaigns to exacerbate communal tensions, organizing rallies and disseminating anti-Muslim narratives on social media.

The report notes that in several speeches during these events, derogatory language was used against Muslims, referring to them with terms like “green snakes” and “mad dogs,” while also inciting violence.

The majority of these hate speeches took place between April 23 and 29, with Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra being significant hotspots. Notably, BJP MLA Nandkishor Gurjar attended one event where he, alongside Hindutva leaders, promoted the economic and social boycott of Muslims and encouraged the public to arm themselves.