The Politics of Hate: How Modi’s Silence Encourages Mob Violence
Resident Editor Sidra Sadozai
The function of political leadership in any robust democracy is to bring people together, defend the weak, and categorically denounce hatred. But under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, silence has turned into complicity in modern-day India. Due to Modi’s persistent refusal to publicly denounce hate crimes and mob violence, which are on the rise nationwide, especially against Christians, Muslims, and Dalits, extremists have gained confidence and a risky atmosphere of impunity.
Since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took power in 2014, India has seen a dramatic increase in communal violence, ranging from vigilante attacks on minorities to hate speeches by members of the ruling party and lynchings carried out in the name of protecting cows. Furthermore, the Prime Minister’s silence frequently reverberates louder than the victims’ cries as hate rages in the streets.
An Increase in Hate Crimes and Lynchings
The increase in mob lynchings in recent years, many of which are committed under the pretext of “gau raksha” (cow protection), is one of the most horrifying legacies of that time. The main targets have been Muslims and Dalits, who have been accused—often without proof—of consuming beef, smuggling cows, or defiling Hindu principles. While attackers chant religious slogans like “Jai Shri Ram,” transforming holy words into battle cries, victims have been beaten to death in public, sometimes while being filmed.
Among the notable examples are:
In Dadri (2015), Mohammad Akhlaq was lynched on suspicion of keeping beef in his refrigerator.
In Rajasthan, a dairy farmer named Pehlu Khan (2017) was attacked by cow vigilantes and subsequently succumbed to his wounds.
Tabrez Ansari (2019), who was beaten to death in Jharkhand after being made to recite Hindu slogans.
Human rights organizations claim that hundreds of such incidents have happened, with many of them going unpunished. The brutality and impunity enjoyed by the offenders, who are frequently protected by social support or political connections, are the common threads among these cases.
Hate Speech in the Ruling Party
BJP leaders and affiliated organizations frequently use divisive rhetoric to fan the flames as the violence unfolds in the streets and villages. Hate speech is now practically commonplace, from local officials to members of parliament:
At a rally, Union Minister Anurag Thakur was captured on camera encouraging the audience to chant “Desh ke gaddaron ko, goli maaro saalon ko” (Shoot the traitors).
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has associated entire communities with terrorism and regularly calls Muslims infiltrators.
Pragya Thakur, a BJP MP and terrorism case defendant, referred to the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi as a patriot.
There have been few, if any, disciplinary actions taken in spite of blatant violations of India’s hate speech laws. Rather, hate speech is frequently rewarded with social media praise, party tickets, or promotions. A clear message is conveyed by the top levels of authority’s silence and lack of accountability: hate pays.
Is Modi’s Silence Cowardly or Tactical?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s studied silence is arguably the most concerning feature of this growing hate culture. His words have great weight because he is India’s most powerful leader. He could reassure vulnerable communities, curb fringe elements, and change public discourse with a single, forceful denunciation. But it doesn’t happen very often.
Modi either didn’t react at all or did so too late in a number of well-known lynching cases. When he does speak, his words are frequently vague or unimportant, lacking the fervor and precision needed during times of national moral crisis. For example, Modi obliquely condemned violence “in the name of cow protection” following the murder of Pehlu Khan, but he did not identify the victim, the perpetrators, or the structural decay that underlies such crimes.
Why is there no sound? It is a calculated political tactic, according to critics. Modi maintains plausible deniability while enabling right-wing elements to energize the BJP’s core base by refraining from outright denouncing hate crimes. Identity politics works well in an electorate that is divided. Muslims are portrayed as foreigners or threats in order to incite Hindu nationalism and deflect criticism of governance or economic shortcomings.
The Acceptance of Hatred
The normalization of hatred is one of the most harmful effects of political silence and complicity. Talk about Muslims being “invaders” or “baby-making machines,” which was formerly regarded as fringe discourse, is now a commonplace aspect of political and media discourse. Primetime debates that demonize minorities are broadcast by national television networks. Fake news and hate speech abound on social media, frequently spread by verified accounts associated with political parties.
Religious organizations, colleges, and schools are not exempt. There have been cases of communities being refused housing or jobs because of their religious identity, Muslim students being harassed, and children being made to chant religious slogans. This decline in secularism and coexistence is a moral and constitutional crisis rather than merely a matter of law and order.
A Justice System That Is Failing
The legal system frequently fails victims, even when they have the guts to come forward and report crimes. Police have a history of manipulating investigations, delaying or refusing to file complaints, and arresting victims rather than offenders. In a number of lynching cases, the accused were either acquitted for lack of evidence—often as a result of witnesses withdrawing their testimony or being intimidated—or later garlanded by BJP ministers.
Minority communities become even more marginalized and hopeless as a result of such failures. They are denied the equality and dignity guaranteed by the Indian Constitution and are forced to live in fear if they are unable to access justice.
The Worldwide Consequences
The world has taken notice of India’s deterioration in democratic and human rights metrics. Under Modi’s rule, there has been an increase in religious intolerance, repression of dissent, and targeted violence, according to reports from international organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and even the U.S. State Department.
However, the Indian government frequently brushes off foreign criticism as interference or propaganda. This defensive stance diminishes accountability and further isolates victims. Such internal conflicts between authoritarian realities and democratic ideals jeopardize India’s credibility as it strives for global leadership.
In conclusion, violence is silence.
Hatred cannot go unchecked in a nation as diverse and intricate as India. A leader has a responsibility to protect all citizens, regardless of their caste, religion, or creed, maintain unity, and enforce justice in addition to winning elections. It is not neutral for Prime Minister Modi to remain silent about hate crimes; rather, it is a calculated political move with potentially fatal outcomes.
The soul of the country is at risk when mobs are allowed to roam freely, when kids are raised to fear their neighbors, and when hate turns into the norm rather than the exception. Modi needs to be vocal and take decisive action if he wants to be regarded as a leader for all Indians. His silence will be seen as complicity until then, and hate politics will keep tearing apart India’s democracy.
Those who remained silent while their nation burned with hatred will not fare well in history.
