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Fighting Hinduphobia

What is Hinduphobia?

Hinduphobia encompasses a range of hostile, damaging, and disparaging attitudes and actions directed towards Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) and its followers. It manifests in forms of bias, fear, or animosity. Hinduphobic narratives reduce Sanatana Dharma to a rigid and oppressive system, overlooking its positive and self-reflective aspects, or crediting these to non-Hindu influences. This rhetoric erases the persecution faced by Hindus while disproportionately portraying them as violent. Such stereotypes are used to justify efforts to dismantle, externally reform, and vilify the diverse indigenous Indic knowledge traditions of Sanatana Dharma.

Hinduphobic behaviors vary from subtle slights to genocidal attempts. These acts include the destruction and desecration of Hindu sacred sites, forced conversion of Hindu populations, targeted violence against Hindu individuals and community institutions, and ethnic cleansing and genocide.

Manifestations of Hinduphobia

Hinduphobia can manifest in various forms, ranging from systemic biases in media representation and educational curricula to outright violence and harassment against Hindu individuals or communities. However, it is not universally acknowledged, and even within the Hindu community, there is often a lack of awareness about how Hinduphobia operates.

While awareness is slowly growing, many still struggle to recognize instances of Hinduphobia and racism when they occur. This lack of recognition makes it harder to address the issue. We must first acknowledge the existence of discrimination in order to combat it effectively. Hinduphobia has always been prevalent, though it is often ignored or misunderstood, and recently, it has seen a troubling rise.

At Hindu Forum Canada, we have identified and categorized the primary forms of Hinduphobia, and we actively combat each of these aspects and more:

  • Media Bias

Media bias against Hindus is prevalent across platforms like news, social media, and entertainment, where they are often negatively portrayed or misrepresented. Political news channels frequently highlight negative incidents involving Hindus while downplaying their positive contributions, and coverage of Hindu-majority regions often lacks balance, focusing mainly on conflicts. Additionally, viral social media posts spread harmful misinformation about Hindus. We address these issues through media monitoring, engaging with journalists, filmmakers and content creators, promoting alternative narratives that reflect accurate depictions of Hindu culture, and raising public awareness to challenge stereotypes and bias.

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  • Misinformation / Misrepresentation

Addressing misinformation and misrepresentation of Hindus involves tackling various forms, including cultural misinterpretation, media bias, academic bias, stereotyping, distortion of Hindu beliefs, historical revisionism, personal anecdotes, and misleading comparisons, among others. We confront these challenges through comprehensive strategies such as education and outreach initiatives, rigorous fact-checking and correction efforts, fostering interfaith dialogues, promoting digital literacy, supporting research, and empowering voices within the community.
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  • Hate Speech

Hate speech against Hindus takes many forms, ranging from derogatory remarks and slurs to more dangerous actions like incitement to violence and the desecration of sacred symbols. Instances like Sikhs for Justice calling for violence against Hindus in North America, or the vandalism of Hindu temples with pro-Khalistan slogans, highlight the severity of the issue. Political narratives, such as branding Hindus as aggressors after the revocation of Article 370, also contribute to rising tensions. To combat this, we need stronger hate speech laws, better media representation, public education on religious diversity, and swift legal action against offenders. Engaging with different communities and ensuring Hindu voices are included in public discourse are key steps in promoting understanding and unity.

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  • Hate Crimes

Hate crime, one of the most overt and dangerous forms of Hinduphobia, involves acts of physical violence, vandalism, and intimidation directed at Hindus simply because of their religious identity. In recent years, hate crimes against Hindus have risen sharply across North America, the U.K., and other parts of the world, coinciding with increasing political and social tensions. These attacks are not isolated incidents but part of a broader trend where Hindus are targeted based on misguided stereotypes, religious intolerance, or geopolitical disputes. Addressing hate crimes is critical not only for protecting the safety of Hindu communities but also for preserving the social fabric of multicultural societies.

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  • Discrimination and Bullying

Discrimination and bullying against Hindus manifest in various ways, such as ridicule over dietary restrictions, traditional clothing, wearing bindi, discriminatory hiring practices, and vandalism of Hindu-owned businesses during religious events. At Hindu Forum Canada (HFC), we address these issues by implementing anti-bullying programs in schools and workplaces, advocating for legal protections against religious discrimination, and providing community support networks that include legal assistance and counseling. Our efforts aim to promote inclusivity and ensure that all individuals can celebrate their Hindu identity without fear of harassment or exclusion.

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  • Academic Bias

Academic bias in education undermines the integrity of learning and critical thinking by perpetuating misinformation and stereotypes about cultures, including Hinduism. When curricula are shaped by ideological biases, students may develop distorted perceptions that foster prejudice and limit their understanding of diversity, ultimately leading to intolerance and discrimination. To combat this, Hindu Forum Canada (HFC) advocates for accurate representation of Hindu culture in educational materials by collaborating with educators and policymakers, providing resources for teachers, and engaging with school boards. Through these efforts, HFC aims to create an inclusive educational environment that promotes respect, understanding, and empathy among students for all cultures.

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