Srinagar, In the lead-up to the state assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, an alarming surge in hate speeches and communal polarization is being reported, with certain Hindutva groups employing incendiary language as bait to secure Hindu votes. These statements, which include calls to convert India into a Hindu nation and to take revenge against Muslims for perceived historical wrongs, are becoming increasingly prevalent as election fervor intensifies.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the stakes are high for both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposing Congress party, with outcomes in the 230 assembly seats poised to signal potential shifts in next year’s general elections. The BJP is leveraging Hindutva rhetoric to rally its base, while Congress leaders, notably Kamal Nath, are highlighting their role in the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya to appeal to Hindu voters.

The situation is compounded by instances of outright communal vilification, as seen in the case of Malini Gaur, a four-time mayor in Indore, who made provocative statements dismissing the need for Muslim votes if they do not adhere to certain nationalist slogans.

Moreover, incidents of physical violence have also been reported, like the recent assault on Muslim truck drivers by cow vigilantes, which was disseminated via social media platform ‘X’.

The alarm is further raised by reports from Hate Detector, indicating that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is orchestrating events to disseminate Hindutva conspiracy theories, and even urging citizens to arm themselves.

These developments underscore a worrying trend of communal rhetoric going unchecked, challenging the secular fabric of Indian democracy and possibly inciting violence, despite being in direct violation of Supreme Court guidelines on hate speech.