A recent report has alleged that major digital music platforms are profiting from a genre of music described as ‘Hindutva pop,’ which disseminates hate speech and incites violence against religious minorities in India. The study, published by the U.S.-based Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH), identifies 523 songs across YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and Meta’s Music Library that allegedly violate the platforms’ own content policies.
Hate Music Violates Platform Guidelines
The report, titled “Profiting from Hate Music: The Role of YouTube, Meta, Spotify and Apple Music in Hosting and Monetizing India’s Hate Music Industry,” found that a significant portion of these songs explicitly call for violence against Muslims and Christians, or employ dehumanizing rhetoric and conspiracy theories against these communities. According to the findings, approximately one in every two songs flagged in the study contains explicit calls for violence, indicating a strong propensity towards inspiring real-world harm. These songs often portray religious minorities as an existential threat to Hindus and promote narratives such as “Love Jihad” to foment hatred.
The CSOH report highlights that despite clear policies against hate speech, these platforms have been slow to remove violative content. Between October and November 2025, 225 of the 523 studied songs were reported for violating hate speech policies. However, by April 2026, only 18 had been removed, resulting in a takedown rate of approximately 8%. Many of the remaining songs continued to circulate on the platforms despite numerous complaints.
Platforms’ Role in Dissemination and Monetization
The study details how these digital platforms not only host but also amplify and financially reward the creators of this hate music. On YouTube alone, the identified songs have garnered over 198 million views, while on Meta, they have been used in more than 5.9 million Instagram Reels. Advertisements from various brands, including major tech companies, have reportedly been displayed on videos containing hate music, contributing to the monetization of such content. The report suggests that platforms have established multiple avenues to profit, both directly from the content and by paying the artists who produce it.
The genre, often referred to as ‘Hindutva pop’ or ‘H-Pop,’ operates within a Hindu nationalist ideology. It employs dehumanizing language and rhetoric specifically targeting Muslims and Christians, with the aim of stoking anger and fear among the Hindu majority. The report posits that such music, when played during religious processions and rallies, has already been linked to deadly communal violence in India.
Call for Action and Policy Enforcement
The CSOH report emphasizes that this type of content violates the terms of service of the platforms involved, which generally prohibit content that promotes violence, hatred, or discrimination based on religion or other identity factors. The findings are based on a database compiled between January 2025 and January 2026, with the report released on June 15, 2026. The study aims to provide a comprehensive mapping of India’s hate music industry and examine the role major technology companies play in sustaining and funding it. The report concludes with recommendations for YouTube, Meta, Spotify, and Apple Music, urging them to take concrete steps to enforce their own policies and curb the spread and monetization of hate music.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
