Volume-XI, Issue-I, January 2025 |
India’s struggle with Hate Speech: A Critical Analysis of Electoral Rhetoric, Minority Stigmatization, and Digital Aggression Angela Nampui, Former Student, Department of Political Science, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India |
Received: 01.01.2025 | Accepted: 25.01.2025 | Published Online: 31.01.2025 | Page No: 64-72 | ||||
DOI: 10.29032/ijhsss.vol.11.issue.01W.008 | |||||||
ABSTRACT | ||
The article critically examines the growing prevalence and impact of hate speech in India, a phenomenon that threatens the nation's democratic fabric and societal harmony. Hate speech, characterized by its divisive and inflammatory nature, targets individuals based on race, religion, caste, gender, and other identities. The study explores its various dimensions, including its role in electoral politics, online platforms, and its disproportionate effect on marginalized communities such as minorities, Dalits, and women. Through historical and descriptive analyses, the paper highlights how hate speech perpetuates exclusionary politics, communal tensions, and societal divisions, often leading to violence and discrimination. It also underscores the complicity of media and political strategies in normalizing hate speech. The paper advocates for the enforcement of existing legal frameworks, public awareness initiatives, and a collective societal commitment to address the issue. Furthermore, it stresses the need for robust regulations to curb the proliferation of hate speech, especially online, and to uphold India's constitutional values of equality, pluralism, and inclusivity. Key words: Hateful Rhetoric; Criminalization; Politics; Fake News; Communal Conflict. |