Hate crimes, acts of violence motivated by prejudice against a person’s identity have shown a worrying rise in India. Amnesty International recorded 721 hate-crime incidents between 2015–18, while NCRB continues to report steady increases in cases of communal violence, caste atrocities and hate speech.
The Supreme Court in Tehseen Poonawalla (2018) called mob lynching “an affront to the rule of law”, highlighting that such crimes undermine India’s constitutional promise of equality (Art. 14), dignity (Art. 21) and fraternity.
Causes Behind the Rise of Hate Crimes in India:
- Deep-Rooted Social Prejudices: Historical hierarchies (caste, religion) create social biases. For example, Highest caste-atrocity cases in UP, Bihar, Rajasthan as per NCRB report.
- Identity Politics & Polarisation: Communal mobilisation around elections heightens tensions. For example, Hate-speech cases spike during state and national elections as per the ADR data.
- Perceived Economic or Cultural Threats: Competition over jobs, housing, or cultural dominance leads to hostility. For example, Migrant workers from Bihar/UP attacked in Maharashtra in 2018.
- Weak Legal Framework: No dedicated anti–hate crime law in India as cases are booked under general IPC sections. Low conviction rates entail a sense of impunity.
- Role of social media: WhatsApp/FB-driven misinformation has triggered multiple lynchings. For example, rumours of child lifting in 2018 led to mob lynching in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Assam.
- Growing Radicalisation: 70% of hate-crime perpetrators globally are under 25 as per UNODC. Hate crimes often committed for “thrill”, group identity, or revenge.
Implications:
- Social Fragmentation: Deepens divisions, reduces social trust due to communal polarisation.
- Delegitimization of the State: Low conviction & weak response undermines public trust in police and judiciary.
- Impact on India’s Global Image: International reports such as USIRF, and Freedom House raise concerns over religious freedom.
- Long-term Psychological Trauma: Affects entire communities, not just individual victims.
Measures Needed to Address Hate Crimes:
- Legal Reforms: Enact a comprehensive anti-hate crime law recognising “bias motivation”. Implement SC directives in Tehseen Poonawalla—special courts, fast-track trials, compensation schemes.
- Strengthening Policing & Accountability: Mandatory police training on hate-crime identification & documentation and setting up dedicated Hate Crime Monitoring Cells at district level.
- Community-Centred Interventions: Interfaith dialogues, mohalla committees, and community policing on the lines of Kerala’s ‘Communal Harmony Committees’.
- Technology-Based Solutions: AI-enabled hate-speech detection on social media and Online reporting platforms for victims.
- Education & Awareness: Incorporate constitutional values, diversity, and empathy in school curricula. Set up counselling programs for at-risk youth in sensitive districts.
Conclusion:
Addressing Hate crimes requires a harmonised strategy, legal reforms, strong enforcement, community engagement, digital policing, and value-based education which are crucial to safeguard not just India’s diversity but also its global image.
‘+1’ Value Addition:
- Amnesty International recorded 721 hate-crime cases from 2015–18 before it had to suspend operations in India.
- Tehseen Poonawalla v. Union of India (2018): SC laid down guidelines against mob lynching, calling it “a crime against humanity”.
- UN Special Rapporteur Report warned that online hate speech in India is contributing to offline violence.
- Case Study: In Khairlanji (2006) & Una (2016), Dalit-targeted violence illustrates structural caste prejudice.
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