India Hate Lab founder Raqib Hameed Naik said that the BJP’s IT Cell had generated anger towards minorities, by promoting the government’s Hindu-nationalist agenda.
Naik, who documents hate speech against religious minorities, said the social media messages spreading during the Haldwani violence followed a pattern seen in previous riots.
“First, hate speech against Muslims by a Hindu activist or politician creates an atmosphere… then the hate speech triggers an incident,” Naik said.
Afterwards, online Hindu-nationalist campaigners “hold Muslims responsible” for the violence, he added.