Germany has introduced stricter deportation laws for foreigners who glorify terrorist acts online. The new rules, prompted by a surge in hate posts following the Gaza war and a recent stabbing, aim to expel individuals who express support for even a single terrorist act. The government argues that such online glorification fuels a climate of violence and poses a threat to national security.
The bitter legacy of Balkan conflicts has resurfaced during Euro 2024, with incidents of hate speech, offensive chants, and threats directed at players and journalists. UEFA has been forced to impose punishments, while football federations in the region appeal for peace and decorum, highlighting the enduring impact of past wars and the complex political landscape.
Following the historic win of Karla Sofía Gascón as the first transgender woman to win the Best Actress prize at Cannes, far-right politician Marion Maréchal made hateful comments targeting Gascón’s gender identity. In response, Gascón has filed a legal complaint for “sexist insult on the basis of gender identity.”
Third-party advertisers are emerging as a formidable force in global democracies, shaping narratives and influencing public opinion. A recent study by Lokniti-CSDS sheds light on the extent and impact of online political advertising by third parties in India, revealing a significant presence of 27 advertisers on Meta and 24 on Google among the top 50 spenders. A striking finding of the study is the abundance of Islamophobic content, misinformation, and derogatory remarks in third-party political ads on Meta. Despite provisions in the law aimed at ensuring fairness and accountability in political advertising, the current regulatory framework falls short, allowing third parties to operate with impunity, free from scrutiny over the content they disseminate and the source of their financial backing.
A video posted to Donald Trump’s social media account on Monday included references to a ‘unified Reich’ among hypothetical news headlines if he wins the election in November. The word ‘Reich’ is often largely associated with Nazi Germany’s Third Reich, leading to concerns about the potential implications of Trump’s language. The video was posted while Trump was on a lunch break from his Manhattan hush money trial and has since been removed.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to focus on the performance of his government over the last ten years rather than resorting to hate speeches. Kharge referred to a letter written by Modi to NDA candidates, expressing concern about the tone and content, which he believes reflects desperation and worry. Kharge emphasized that the RSS and BJP have consistently opposed reservations and challenged the PM’s claim that his party would take them away from SC, ST, and OBC communities.
The Election Commission has issued notices to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress seeking their response on allegations of hate speech and divisive comments by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi. The poll panel has requested responses from party heads JP Nadda (BJP) and Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress) by Monday, April 29, 11 am.
The Election Commission (EC) reported 189 cases against political parties and candidates for major violations of the model code of conduct (MCC) in Karnataka’s Lok Sabha elections. Of these, 23 cases were related to hate speech, 28 for attempts to induce voters, and 15 cases of misuse of religious places. The EC deployed special observers and flying squads to ensure compliance with the MCC, showing zero tolerance for any violations. The first phase of the elections will include key constituencies such as Udupi-Chikmagalur, Chikkballapur, and Kolar.
On April 26, 14 constituencies in Karnataka will head to the polls. The Election Commission and political parties are working hard to increase voter turnout, particularly in Bengaluru, where previous elections saw poor participation. The southern and coastal regions of Karnataka account for the majority of the 2.88 crore eligible voters in these 14 constituencies. As campaigning for the upcoming elections comes to an end, door-to-door campaigning will take center stage today. Meanwhile, civil society organizations continue to criticize the Election Commission of India (ECI) for failing to address hate speech, including remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his election campaign in Rajasthan. Tribals in the Hunsur-Periyapatna area have expressed disappointment over the lack of attention paid to their specific demands during the election campaign.
A video of a rally where ‘anti-Hindu’ slogans were reportedly raised is being shared as a recent event. The rally allegedly took place in Kerala, and claims allege that it was organized by the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance’s member, the Muslim League. However, the video is not recent and dates back to 2023. The rally was part of a protest against violence in Manipur, and slogans threatening to hang Hindus in front of temples and burn them alive were allegedly chanted.
