About

Hate Watch India is documenting verified incidents of hate against religious minorities in India. It is an abundant source of reliable information available for anyone to review and use to educate others or create reports.



 

This project seeks to accumulate and analyze data regarding Islamophobic trends in India, in an attempt to gauge the breadth and depth of this phenomenon in the country. Unlike in the West, few attempts have been made within the country to tackle this subject in a comprehensive and academic manner. Such projects are crucial as the first step towards solving any problem is recognizing that there is one. Islamophobia in India needs to be understood and acknowledged, if any effort is to be made to eradicate it.

Anti-Muslim sentiments determine the quality of life of a vast section of the Muslim population, including the schools and colleges they go to, people they become friends with, the quality of jobs they can get and the kind of houses they can rent. Eradicating Islamophobia is essential if this country, in which 195 million Muslim lives intertwine with that of the rest of its 1 billion-strong population, is to retain its multicultural and tolerant credentials.

The primary weapon in the fight against any evil is data, and this project aims to gather as much data as possible by sorting through reliable news reports, studies and other printed and digital matter to arrive at a picture about Islamophobia that is as clear and concise as possible. It aims to document Islamophobia in its varied forms- discrimination, violence, deliberate marginalization and outright annihilation targeted at Muslims.


Vision Statement

To expose the unjust treatment of religious minorities in India.

Mission Statement

Documenting incidents of religious hate through online reporting to spread education and awareness.

The Problem

There are no independent, active, investigative sources of hate crimes in India. National Crime Records Bureau (a government agency) has stopped documenting and classifying religious hate crimes in a way that can show the national trends. Many independent organizations and media groups reporting such crimes are shutting down under Government pressure. Efforts made to bring light to the incidents of Islamophobia in India by prior media outlets and non-profit groups are shutting down.




The Solution

Hate Watch India (HWI) is the only significantdocumentation source of hate crimes against religious minorities in India and looks to take on that responsibility. Through media exposure and incident reports, Islamophobia-India is ready to expose hate crimes against religious minorities for the safety of the Muslim community. By being a public source of reporting and informing, HWI is standing up against political pressure and providing the truth for all to see.

Our Values

  1. Resilient Reporting- We are the only primary investigative and authoritative source of reported hate incidents in India.
  2. Media Megaphone- We're informing the public and spreading the message to policymakers, researchers, reporters, and the media worldwide.
  3. Leading with Empathy- We're standing up for those who cannot by exposing and protesting the harsh treatment of Muslims in India.
  4. Proud Protectors- We're committed to independent, active, and authoritative documentation and reporting to eliminate religiously motivated hate crimes and improve the safety of those affected by religious extremism.

  1. Truthful & Transparent- Unlike false messaging direct toward Muslims and other minorities throughout India, we are a transparent and reliable source of information for people and policymakers to trust.

Standing Up for Those Who Can't

For too long, politically fueled accusations have caused abhorrent instances of hate crimes against Muslims and other minorities. HWI is a non-profit organization documenting hate crimes against Muslims and other minorities for the public. As the only remaining primary source of all religious hate crimes against religious minorities, we are here to reveal the truth and stand up for those who cannot. This goal is possible through accurate documentation of each incident with details from multiple authentic sources.

Our Audience

  1. Policymakers throughout global governments.

While people of conscience want to see instances of hate decrease, others with vested interests are working hard to spread hate and endangering Muslim lives for political reasons. We need to explain how HWI is here to record instances of persecution for all to see. We need to emphasize the terror and hatred involved in these instances to pressure government officials into action.


  1. The Media

Some media sources are looking for clear cases of islamophobia to report on, while other media sources spread false narratives with little evidence. We need to highlight how HWI is an unbiased and investigative source of information on hate incidents. We need to emphasize how we all need to eradicate hate and entice the media with accurate, documented reports.

  1. Researchers & Civil Society, Think Tanks Academics

These are investigating the socio-political climate of India or other places. They are looking for a verifiable source of information but found that all other existing investigative and documentation sources are shutting down. Therefore, we need to reach these individuals on platforms they may frequent as the only current source in the country documenting hate incidents.

  1. International Business Executives

International Businesses have direct responsibility, and their actions influence policymaking in many nations worldwide. Profits are stillthe top priority for Businesses. However, they are sensitive about appearing unethical to consumers. Neutral and authentic documentation would make it easier for civil society to lobby businesses with the right causes.

Methodology

 1. Define Islamophobia as a social and political phenomenon by keeping the distinct realities of the Indian subcontinent in mind.
 2. Track all manners of Islamophobic incidents and trends under various sections such as hate violence (physical, verbal and digital attacks), discrimination, Islamophobic media reports and Islamophobic trends in popular culture.
 3. Use graphic storytelling tools to visualize the lived daily experiences of Muslims from all walks of life- women, men, students, children, employees etc.
 4. Track groups and individuals, both online and offline, deliberately spreading anti-Muslim content.
 5. Compile a library on Islamophobia as a reference point for anyone wishing to study this subject.

The library will include:
    Islamophobic articles and books written with the intent to spread anti-Muslim sentiments
    Ebooks and articles dealing with the topic of Islamophobia
    A video library incorporating digital materials dealing with Islamophobia
    A study of campaign materials such as posters and slogans