Hate speech has become a global menacing phenomenon. Every country or society is experiencing ever increasing incidences or practice of hate speech. Bangladesh society is also experiencing this practice. This sinister phenomenon is a threat to social and political harmony. In view of the above, efforts are on at both national and international levels to minimise its adverse effects. It appears that complete eradication of it is difficult, if not impossible.

Recognising the importance of the above, the United Nations General Assembly declared 18 June as the "International Day for Countering Hate Speech". The objectives behind this are to protect human rights and to promote tolerance in the face of it. The UN defines hate speech as “any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour, that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are, in other words, based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender or other identity factor.” The manifestations of it are “racial hatred, xenophobia, anti-Semitism or aggressive nationalism and ethnocentrism against minorities, immigrants and people of immigrant origin”. Here it needs to be pointed out that there are certain factors that cause hate speech. Patriarchal attitude is one of those that emphasises male dominance and superiority. Patriarchy creates an unequal power dynamic between men and women, which leads to gendered hate speech. Political polarisation also leads to hate speech in Bangladesh. Political parties often use hate speech as a tool to mobilise their supporters and attack their opponents, most importantly, women leadership.

Besides, hate speech against ethnic minorities living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and plain lands of Bangladesh has been going on for many years. These communities have faced discrimination, marginalisation, violence, and hate speech directed toward them. The ethnic minority communities living in the CHT, such as the Chakma, Marma, and Tripura, have been subject to hate speech and violence for decades. In the plain lands, ethnic and religious minorities, such as Hindus, Buddhists and others, have also been targeted with hate speech. They are often portrayed as unpatriotic or disloyal to the state, and hate speech directed toward them incites violence and leads to social and political exclusion. Social media platforms have become a common tool for spreading hate speech against ethnic minorities. Extremist groups have used these platforms to spread propaganda and incite violence against these communities.

Cyber bullying is the other key drivers of hate speech in Bangladesh. Women and girls are often targeted online with abusive and threatening messages, seriously impacting their mental health and well-being. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have become popular platforms for expressing hate. Individuals and groups use these platforms to spread hateful content targeting women and other marginalised groups. Some of the primary motives  for such cyber-crimes include defamation, retribution, blackmailing for money, physiological torture etc.

Hate speech has significant negative impacts on both individuals and groups. It causes emotional distress, harms one’s reputation, and creates a hostile environment that leads to discrimination, prejudice, and violence. Hate speech also leads to feelings of anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder in individuals who are targeted by it. It makes them feel dehumanised, powerless, and isolated, leading to long-term psychological harm. Gendered hate speech leads to feelings of inferiority, shame, and self-doubt.

Women and LGBTQ+ individuals targeted by gendered hate speech begin to internalise negative stereotypes and feel unvalued or disrespected. It also creates a sense of social exclusion among members of targeted groups. In fact, gendered hate speech creates a hostile environment that is unwelcoming to women and LGBTQ+ individuals and makes it difficult for them to participate fully in the society, including in education, work, and social activities.

In some cases, hate speech leads to physical harm, as it can incite violence against targeted individuals or groups. Women and LGBTQ+ individuals are particularly vulnerable to hate crimes, which include physical assault, rape, and murder. People targeted by hate speech may feel forced to censor themselves to avoid attack or harassment. This limits their ability to express themselves and creates a culture of fear, where individuals hesitate to express their opinions or beliefs for fear of retaliation. Hate speech creates a sense of division and polarisation in society, as it reinforces negative stereotypes and fosters distrust and hatred between different groups of people. This is because hate speech is a form of communication that seeks to degrade, dehumanise, or demean people based on their gender identity or expression.