Activists push for official recognition of Hinduphobia but some Hindus call it a political ploy ( National Post )
Skeptics say it’s a political weapon to deflect criticism of India’s Modi government and its Hindu-nationalist agenda, and to promote religious nationalism here
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to supporters in New Delhi on January 16, 2023. “Hinduphobia” is largely designed to mute criticism of Hindu nationalism generally and of human-rights abuses against Indian minorities under Modi’s government, says one critic of the term. PHOTO BY SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
Hindu-Canadian activists have begun quietly campaigning for official recognition of what they call Hinduphobia, a form of discrimination they argue is distinct and widespread.
They’ve scored some success on the municipal level, and recently had the ear of a senior federal cabinet minister.
But the idea is getting pushback from a perhaps-surprising quarter: other Hindus.
As the term gains increasing attention within North America’s Indian diaspora — even if it’s not well known generally among Canadians — there’s sharp disagreement about just what it denotes.
Advocates say Hinduphobia is an increasing problem and needs to be formally acknowledged by human rights and educational bodies as a step toward combatting it.
Skeptics say it’s largely a political weapon to deflect criticism of India’s current government and its Hindu-nationalist agenda, and to promote religious nationalism here.
Helping lead the charge in Canada is Ragini Sharma, who says she and colleagues have already convinced one major school board to include Hinduphobia in its anti-racism literature, and are lobbying for similar recognition by federal and Ontario human rights commissions.
This story was originally published in nationalpost.com . Read the full story here
