Tue Apr 29 02:26:38 UTC 2025: ## Anti-Muslim Hate Songs Fuel Violence After Kashmir Attack
**NEW DELHI** – A wave of inflammatory songs, dubbed “Hindutva Pop,” is fueling a surge in anti-Muslim violence across India following a deadly attack in Kashmir. In the aftermath of the April 22nd attack, which killed 26 people in Pahalgam, at least 20 songs emerged online, blaming Indian Muslims for the killings and inciting violence against them.
These songs, readily available on platforms like YouTube, garnering hundreds of thousands of views, promote themes of Hindu nationalism and accuse Muslims of conspiracy against Hindus. Lyrics call for boycotts, retribution, and even the expulsion of Muslims from India. One song, “Pehle Dharam Poocha” (They Asked About Religion First), has already amassed over 140,000 views.
The songs are part of a broader online campaign using social media and messaging apps like WhatsApp to spread fear and hatred. This digital onslaught mirrors a rise in real-world violence against Muslims in several Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Uttarakhand. Reports detail assaults, evictions, and even the denial of medical care to Muslim patients. One incident saw a Hindu supremacist claim responsibility for the shooting death of a Muslim man, citing the Pahalgam attack as justification.
The Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH) reports a significant spike in anti-Muslim rhetoric since the attack. Executive Director Raqib Hameed Naik states that the online campaign systematically demonizes the Muslim community, creating a climate of fear that justifies violence.
The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has documented at least 21 incidents of anti-Muslim violence and hate speech in the days following the attack. The group is providing legal aid to victims.
Adding fuel to the fire, some members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been implicated in inciting hatred. A BJP minister called for an economic boycott of Muslims, and other party members have been involved in hate speech and assaults.
Experts warn that this online hate campaign is not isolated, but part of a pattern where incidents are used to justify anti-Muslim sentiment and violence. The situation highlights the dangerous intersection of online hate speech and real-world consequences in India.
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