At a press briefing, US lawmaker Sri Thanedar highlighted the increasing wave of hatred directed at children and people of Indian origin. Hindu temples are being destroyed, and even Indian embassies are sustaining damage. These acts are clear evidence that Hinduphobia is a reality. The congressman's words carry weight. News of continual attacks on temples and Indians has been emerging. But how has America, known for its inclusiveness, developed a problem with Hindus?
Understanding Phobia
Phobia is an irrational fear, often without a justifiable reason. Just as acrophobia, or fear of heights, or nyctophobia, the fear of the dark, everything can have a perceived threat, even religions or ideologies. An example is Hitler’s demonization of Jews during World War II — an irrational aversion that turned into hatred and led to the Holocaust. This is known as anti-Semitism.
Then came the term Islamophobia, after the September 2001 attacks on the US, when it was clear that extremist Islamic forces were involved. Post-attack discourse in different countries often involved fears of Muslims or violence against them. Now, we are witnessing Hinduphobia.
Source: aajtak
International Think Tanks Weigh In
A Carnegie Endowment for International Peace survey claims 18 percent of Indians in America have experienced Hinduphobia. Indians are the second-largest group of Asian immigrants in the US. The survey conducted in September 2020 provides a glimpse into a disturbing trend that a longer-term study might reveal as even more worrying.
Anger Felt by 10 in Every Thousand
The Federal Bureau of Investigation acknowledges that anti-Hindu hate crimes have risen. Hindus in areas with smaller Hindu populations face racist comments or physical assaults. Though the instances are 10 per 1,000, these don't include the cases against Asians or whites, categories that also include Indian Hindus.
White Supremacists and Extremist Groups Are Cultivating Violence
Last year, the Network Contagion Research Institute reported a sharp spike in anti-Hindu narratives leading to attacks on Hindus, increasing by almost a thousand times. The institute found that these hate crimes were not perpetrated by a single race or community but rather a combined effort by various groups including Muslims and white supremacists.
Source: aajtak
To grasp the scope of Hinduphobia, consider the example of vandalism faced by a Mahatma Gandhi statue in New York’s South Richmond Hills in 2022, where it was not only damaged but also defaced with offensive language. Hindus are facing derogatory comments about their clothing and beliefs, and there are even attempts to convert them to other religions.
Underlying Causes?
One reason for White Americans' resentment towards Hindus is the rapid progress of people of Indian origin. In Silicon Valley, a significant number of start-ups are owned by Indians, many of whom are Hindus. This success has created a sense of pressure on those who see themselves as superior, fuelling a surge in hate crimes.
The Role of Appearance
Confusion in appearance with Asian Muslims has also been a factor in violence against Hindus. Since the September 11 attacks, any Asian-looking individual may be perceived with suspicion and hatred. Unfortunately, Indians have fallen victim to this discrimination.
Source: aajtak
The Hindu American Foundation's website cites studies that show violence against Hindus spiked after the September 11 attacks due to their similar appearance to Pakistani or Afghan Muslims. This led to a sudden increase in hatred towards them, with detailed data available on their website about the attacks.
Targeted Communities
Different research institutions have varying claims regarding hate crimes.
The Pew Research Center reported in 2018 that Jews, Muslims, and Christians face the most religious hate crimes globally.
That year, Catholics reported discrimination in 145 countries, Jews in 88, and Muslims in 139.
Recently, the Buddhist community has also reported hate crimes.
