The CSSS report says around 95 per cent of lynching cases occurred in states ruled by the BJP, with Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh accounting for the highest numbers
MUMBAI — There has been a sharp decline in communal riots in the country in 2025, but incidents of mob lynching and broader patterns of identity-based violence and discrimination continued to raise serious concerns, according to a report by the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS).
The report released on Friday says there were 28 communal riots in 2025, down from 59 in 2024—a decline of 52 per cent, with Maharashtra topping the list followed by West Bengal and Gujarat. These riots resulted in four deaths and injuries to more than 360 people, the CSSS monitoring unit said. The CSSS based its monitoring on reports published in five Mumbai editions of The Indian Express, The Hindu, The Times of India, Sahafat, and Inquilab.
However, mob lynching incidents rose slightly to 14 cases, claiming eight lives, all of them Muslim. Around 95 percent of lynching cases occurred in states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh accounting for the highest numbers.
The CSSS is a civil society organisation based in Mumbai. It aims to promote peace and harmony. The centre’s monitoring team comprises Irfan Engineer, Neha Dabhade and Diya Padalkar.
The CSSS report noted that despite fewer large-scale riots, communal hostility has taken more systemic forms, including hate speech, institutional discrimination, and selective law enforcement. Nearly one-third of riots were triggered during religious processions or festivals, reflecting continued tensions around contested public spaces.
The report also highlighted a surge in violence against Christian communities. Data from the United Christian Forum documented 706 incidents nationwide in 2025, including attacks linked to allegations of forced conversions and repeated cases of denial of burial rights, particularly in Chhattisgarh.
The Centre for Study of Society and Secularism raised concerns about the role of the state, alleging disproportionate action against Muslims following communal unrest. In several cases, authorities blamed Muslim “masterminds,” carried out mass arrests, invoked stringent laws, and demolished Muslim-owned properties after violence, actions described as collective punishment.
While courts delivered swift convictions in some cases involving Hindu victims, the report pointed to acquittals or prolonged detention without bail in cases involving Muslim victims, raising questions about equal application of justice.
Overall, CSSS concluded that although visible communal riots declined in 2025, mob lynching, targeted repression, and institutional bias continued to fuel insecurity among religious minorities.
