Hate Spin

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In the United States, the religious right stokes fears of an Islamic threat, infusing anti-Muslim rhetoric into mainstream politics. In Indonesia, Muslim absolutists push for the suppression of churches and minority sects, fostering intolerance. In India, Narendra Modi's radical supporters incite communal riots and impose academic censorship to advance their Hindu nationalist agenda. While outbreaks of religious intolerance are often viewed as spontaneous, Cherian George reveals that they frequently stem from calculated campaigns by political opportunists aiming to mobilize support and marginalize opponents. Right-wing networks manipulate offense and indignation as tools of identity politics, exploiting democratic spaces to promote agendas that undermine democratic values. George terms this strategy "hate spin," a dual approach combining hate speech with manufactured offense-taking. This tactic is evident in diverse societies, including Buddhist Myanmar and Orthodox Christian Russia. Focusing on the world's three largest democracies, George highlights how intolerant factions within India's Hindu right, America's Christian right, and Indonesia's Muslim right adeptly utilize hate spin. He also notes the Internet's role in facilitating cross-border hate spin. George argues for protective measures for vulnerable communities against discrimination and violence, cautioning that laws aimed at shielding believers from provocation can