By Sardar Khan Niazi

India, a land of rich cultural diversity, ancient traditions, and vibrant histories, is increasingly facing a darker side of its social fabric. In recent years, there has been an unsettling rise in hate-driven narratives, toxic nationalism, and religious intolerance that is poisoning the very core of India’s unity. While India has long been a symbol of pluralism and tolerance, it now finds itself grappling with a troubling surge of hatefulness that cannot be ignored. Hate in India is not just an isolated issue it is systemic. It manifests across multiple dimensions: communal violence, social discrimination, caste-based hostility, and the demonization of marginalized communities. Whether it is the demonization of Muslims, the oppression of Dalits, or the alienation of religious minorities, the rise of hate has become deeply ingrained in the discourse, both online and offline. This surge in hateful ideologies is not only a threat to individual communities—it erodes the very principles of democracy and equality upon which the nation was founded. To understand the rise of hateful rhetoric in India, we must examine several contributing factors. First, there is the political climate. Over the last decade, certain political factions that have sought to galvanize support through a sense of “us vs. them have actively promoted the rhetoric of division.” By framing certain groups—especially religious and ethnic minorities—as threats to the nation’s identity, these political actors have stirred up sentiments that have long been dormant in the collective psyche. Hate speech has gone from being isolated incidents to mainstream discourse, amplified by social media, and fueled by divisive ideologies. Second, the complexities of caste and class in India cannot be overstated. The caste system, though officially abolished, continues to govern social dynamics in both rural and urban India. The legacy of caste-based discrimination, coupled with the marginalization of lower........

© The Patriot