Heard of ‘Hindutva Pop’ Music? Report Maps How It’s Spreading Hate
A genre of Indian music, called “Hindutva pop,” or H-Pop, is being used to vilify and dehumanise Muslim and Christian minorities on four of the world’s largest digital platforms, according to a new report by the U.S.-based research group Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH).
Delhi High Court Rebukes Ramdev for ‘Sharbat Jihad’ Remarks
The Delhi High Court expressed strong disapproval against Baba Ramdev, founder of Patanjali Foods, for using the misleading and provocative term “Rooh Afza jihad” in communal remarks targeting Hamdard, the pharmaceutical and food company famous for its popular drink, Rooh Afza. The matter came up before Justice Amit Bansal, who, after hearing preliminary arguments on April 22, warned Ramdev’s counsel of issuing a stringent order if such behaviour continued.
Kerala High Court Suggests Mandatory Jail for Hate Speech
The Kerala High Court has denied anticipatory bail to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader P.C. George, citing repeated violations of bail conditions in prior hate speech cases and observing that in such cases jail sentences should be mandatory.
Report: Meta Approves Political Ads Inciting Violence in India
Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, has approved AI-manipulated political adverts spreading disinformation and inciting religious violence during India’s election, according to a report that was exclusively shared with the U.K.’s The Guardian newspaper. The report reveals that Meta allowed inflammatory ads targeting India’s Muslim minority, containing hate speech, disinformation and calls for violence.
How Citizens Can Respond to Hate Speech During Elections
Hate speech during elections is a challenge many democracies face. When the ruling party uses hateful rhetoric to dominate public discourse and divert attention from its governance failures, ordinary citizens often wonder how to respond. The key is to counter hate speech while keeping the focus on important issues such as governance and accountability.
Compelling Social Media to Better Moderate Hate Speech
A think tank in Sri Lanka has published a study suggesting methods to encourage social media platforms to undertake content moderation more responsibly, thus tackling hate speech and disinformation more effectively. The study offers an alternative to stringent legislative measures, which frequently result in excessive government control over content regulation.
3 Popular News Channels Penalised for Spreading Hate
The News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) has taken action against three popular news channels – Times Now Navbharat, News 18 India and Aaj Tak – for broadcasting content that promotes hatred and communal disharmony, based on complaints it received against the channels.
Report: Nearly 2 Hate Speech Events a Day in India in 2023
A concerning surge in hate speech incidents took place across India in 2023, with a total of 668 events specifically targeting Muslims, according to a report. A striking 75% of these incidents occurred in states and territories under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governance, including the National Capital Territory of Delhi, where the central government, led by the BJP, holds jurisdiction over police and public order.