Attack on Hindu religious sentiments: Pakistani Muslim 'journalist' mocks revered Hindu religious symbol and deity
Pakistan 
28 June, 2024
Case Summary
The revered Hindu deity, Lord Vishnu, and the sacred symbol of the holy cow, also known as Gaumata, were casually mocked and ridiculed by Pakistani Muslim journalist Sohrab Barkat. According to reports, this incident occurred on 29th June 2024, when Pakistani journalist Sohrab Barkat made Hinduphobic remarks during his analysis of the India vs South Africa T20 Cricket World Cup final. He mocked Hindu religious beliefs by referring to the sacred cow (Gaumata) and Lord Vishnu in a derogatory manner. Barkat stated that India was destined to lose against England and went on to remark that “Gaumata could not save Indians today. Even if Lord Vishnu had come to play directly, he could not have saved India from losing the match.” However, despite Sohrab Barkat’s anti-Hindu comments, India went on to win the final against South Africa by seven runs.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case is being added to the tracker under the primary category- Hate Speech against Hindus. The subcategory 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. In this case, it is first important to state that in Hinduism, the cow, revered as Gaumata, holds immense religious and cultural significance. It symbolises purity, motherhood, and non-violence, representing the sustenance and nurturing aspect of life itself. For Hindus, the cow is considered sacred and worthy of the highest respect, often associated with divinity and the embodiment of the goddess Earth. Lord Vishnu, one of the principal deities of the Hindu trinity, symbolises preservation and cosmic balance. He is worshipped as the preserver and protector of the universe, and his reverence forms a central part of Hindu belief and practice. These two hold an exalted place in Hinduism, representing both divine power and the sanctity of life. Any insult or ridicule directed towards them, therefore, amounts to a calculated disrespect of Hinduism and a deliberate assault on the religious sentiments of the Hindu community. In this instance, Pakistani journalist Sohrab Barkat’s deliberate mockery of Gaumata and Lord Vishnu over a cricket match demonstrated clear Hinduphobic intent. By deriding sacred Hindu symbols and a revered deity in a public setting, he displayed profound contempt for the Hindu faith. Such remarks were not casual criticism but a direct act of religious denigration that demeaned the beliefs of millions. His comments openly ridiculed the essence of Hindu spirituality, undermining the deep faith that Hindus place in their deities and sacred symbols. This conduct not only insulted the community but also provoked emotional hurt and social discord, constituting a clear case of religiously motivated hate speech against Hindus. Given that this case meets the parameters of a religiously motivated hate speech, it is being added to the hate crime database of the Hinduphobia Tracker.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
