The Centre for the Study of Organised Hate raises concerns over content targeting religious minorities in India
NEW DELHI — A new report published by the US-based Centre for the Study of Organised Hate (CSOH) has raised concerns about the presence of hundreds of Hindutva-themed pop songs on major digital music platforms, alleging that many contain hateful content directed at religious minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians.
The report was issued on Monday (June 15) and is titled “Profiting from Hate Music: YouTube, Meta, Spotify and Apple Music’s Role in Hosting and Funding India’s Hate Music Industry.” It claims that major technology companies are continuing to host and monetise music that promotes hostility, discrimination and, in some cases, violence against minority communities.
According to the study, researchers identified a total of 523 songs across four major platforms. The report says 210 songs were found on YouTube, 109 on Spotify, 103 in Meta’s music library and 101 on Apple Music. Researchers allege that these songs violate the platforms’ own policies relating to hate speech and harmful content.
CSOH described the study as the first large-scale mapping of what it called India’s “hate music industry”. The organisation argued that technology companies are not only providing space for such content but are also helping its spread through advertising systems, monetisation tools and platform support.
The report states that the identified songs have attracted significant engagement online. According to CSOH, the songs hosted on YouTube alone have received more than 198 million views. On Meta-owned platforms, the songs were reportedly used in more than 9.5 million Instagram reels.
Researchers further claimed that nearly one out of every two songs examined contained content that promoted or encouraged violence against religious minorities.
CSOH Executive Director Raqib Naik said the findings should be treated seriously.
“Hatred expressed through music has historically been one of the most dangerous tools used to normalise violence,” he said.
“We have seen in different parts of the world how such content can contribute to hostility against vulnerable communities. What makes the Hindutva hate music ecosystem particularly concerning is the scale of its reach and the support it receives through digital platforms.”
The report alleges that among the 210 songs identified on YouTube, 104 songs — nearly 49 per cent — contained direct threats or messages encouraging violence against Muslims. According to the study, those songs alone accumulated more than 97 million views.
Researchers said that even where songs did not explicitly call for violence, many contained language that portrayed Muslims and other minorities in a negative or dehumanising way. The report argues that such content can contribute to prejudice and social division.
The study also questioned the role of advertising systems. According to CSOH, advertisements from 103 brands appeared alongside videos that researchers classified as hateful content. The report states that 78 per cent of those videos allegedly violated platform policies, while 83 per cent contained material linked to violence.
Among the brands mentioned in the report are ChatGPT, NotebookLM, Amazon Prime, Adobe, Dell, Levi’s, Kellogg’s, and Flipkart. The report does not allege that these organisations intentionally supported the content but raises concerns about how advertising systems placed advertisements alongside such videos.
Researchers also examined YouTube’s monetisation features. The report claims that the platform’s “Super Thanks” feature, which allows viewers to financially support creators, was active on 55 per cent of videos identified as policy-violating content.
One example highlighted in the report is a YouTube channel called Mayur Music. According to CSOH, the channel hosted 25 songs that researchers classified as violating platform rules. The report notes that the channel had also received YouTube’s Silver Creator Award.
CSOH argues that while major platforms publicly maintain policies against hate speech and harmful content, enforcement remains inconsistent. The organisation said YouTube continues to be the largest platform for the distribution of such music in India.
The report concludes with a series of recommendations directed at YouTube, Meta, Spotify and Apple Music. These include stronger identification of hate-based content, stricter enforcement of existing rules, removal of monetisation opportunities, closer monitoring of advertising systems and quicker action against content found to violate platform policies.
At the time the report was released, no comprehensive public response from the companies named in the study had been included in the findings.
The allegations contained in the report have added to the wider debate over online hate speech, platform accountability and the protection of religious minorities in digital spaces. Whether the platforms accept or challenge the findings, the report is likely to increase pressure on technology companies to explain how potentially harmful content remains available and profitable on their services.
