Illustrator makes Hinduphobic posters depicting Lord Ram being slapped by Dr Ambedkar
India 
31 May, 2024
Case Summary
On June 1, several users expressed strong objections against Instagram user Priyanka Paul, accusing her of offending Hindu sentiments with her Hinduphobic artwork. Known as "artwhoring" on Instagram, Paul, an "Ambedkarite Feminist," was in the spotlight for her posters depicting Hindu deities in a derogatory manner, causing outrage among the Hindu community. The uproar stemmed from a painting where Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is depicted assaulting Lord Ram, with the slogan 'Jai Shri Ram' partially written. This sparked demands for legal action against her and retail outlets such as Redbubble for selling items featuring her artwork. Furthermore, users shared other instances of Paul's derogatory artwork targeting Hindu deities, including a tattoo on her arm where Dr. Ambedkar is depicted physically assaulting Lord Ram. Responding to an Instagram user’s post that shared concerns about the lives of all humans in the wake of ‘All Eyes on Rafah’, Paul asserted that Hinduism promotes untouchability and questioned the sincerity of its teachings on humanity. Some individuals associated with the page or its followers took formal action by submitting a complaint to the Thane, Ambernath (East) Police station. In response to the growing backlash, Paul decided to set her Instagram account to private.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the hate tracker under two prime categories. The first is- Hate speech against Hindus. Under this, the sub-category selected is- Anti-Hindu slurs, mocking faith- Anti-Hindu slurs and the deliberate mocking of the Hindu faith owing to religious animosity involve the usage of derogatory terms, stereotypes, or offensive references to religious practices, symbols, or figures. One of the common anti-Hindu slurs used against Hindus is “cow-worshipper” and “cow piss drinker”. The intention of using this term is to demean and mock Hindus as a group and their religious beliefs since Hindus consider the cow holy. Additionally, some symbols and the slurs attached to them have a historical context that exacerbates the insult, hate, stereotyping, dehumanisation and oppression against Hindus. Cow worship has been used for centuries to denigrate Hindus, insult their faith and oppress Hindus specifically as a religious group. There has been overwhelming documentation about how cow slaughter has been used to persecute Hindus with cow meat being thrown in temples and places of worship. There has also been overwhelming documentation where cow meat (beef) has been force-fed to Hindus to either forcefully convert them to Islam or denigrate their faith. Apart from cow worship, the Swastika – which holds deep religious significance for the Hindus – has also been misinterpreted and distorted to use as a slur against Hindus. Similarly, the worship of the Shivling has been used by supremacist ideologies and religions to denigrate Hindus owing to religious animosity. Such slurs and denigration stem out of inherent animosity and hate towards Hindus and their faith, therefore, it is categorised as hate speech targeted at Hindus specifically owing to their religious identity. The second prime category under which this case has been placed is- Attack on Hindu religious symbols. Under this, the sub-category selected is- Iconoclastic representation of Hindu Gods/Goddess- An icon is a symbol of someone or something that is revered, or a religious representation of a spiritual ideal. Iconography is of vital significance in the Hindu milieu. It helps connect people’s spiritual beliefs with the real world. Iconography within the Hindu faith takes several shapes and forms. Murtis are of most significance to Hindus, to which daily rituals, prayers and offerings are done. Besides the murtis, there are several other symbols which have deep significance in the Hindu faith – the Om and Swastika for example. Any iconoclastic representation of these symbols, images and murtis is an affront to the religious beliefs and faith of the Hindu community itself since the symbols and icons are deeply religious in nature. In this sub-category of crime, we would record hate crimes and iconoclastic representations, in words, art, or any other form of representations of symbols that hold religious significance for the Hindu community. Since these symbols, icons and murtis are central to the Hindu faith, any iconoclastic representation of these symbols is born out of animosity towards the faith itself, manifesting itself through these symbols and therefore, these representations would be considered religiously motivated hated crimes. The artwork created by Priyanka Paul, particularly the depiction of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar assaulting Lord Ram, serves as a striking example of iconoclastic representation of Hindu deities, fuelled by an underlying animosity toward Hinduism. Iconoclasm, which involves the deliberate destruction or disparagement of religious images and symbols, is evident in Paul's portrayal, as it seeks to undermine the reverence associated with Lord Ram, a central figure in Hindu mythology. By presenting a revered deity in a violent and derogatory manner, the artwork not only disrespects the religious beliefs of millions but also promotes a narrative that diminishes the sanctity of Hindu symbols. This act can be interpreted as a manifestation of religious hate, as it intentionally provokes and insults Hindu sentiments, creating an environment of hostility towards the faith.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Others
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
female
Sources 
