Hindu student targeted as three Muslim classmates pressure him to cut his kalava, eat meat and change his name
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, United Kingdom 
1 August, 2024
Case Summary
On August 2nd, three Muslim students at Springwell School in Hounslow, West London, were suspended for trying to forcefully convert a Hindu classmate to Islam. The Muslim children pressured the Hindu boy to change his name to Mohammed, cut off his sacred thread, and eat meat, insisting that halal meat would make him stronger. The incident came to light when the boy's parents noticed changes in his behaviour. Despite the initial dismissal by the class teacher, the parents persisted, leading to the suspension of the Muslim students. The school's headteacher acknowledged the issue and assured efforts to create a safe, inclusive environment. Concerned, the Hindu family informed other families and neighbours, fearing similar incidents might be occurring elsewhere.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been placed under the prime category- Predatory Proselytisation of the hate tracker. To break down the case further, the sub-category chosen within this prime category is grooming - conversion of a minor. Religious brainwashing essentially means the often subtle and forcible indoctrination to induce someone to give up their religious beliefs to accept contrasting regimented ideas. Religious brainwashing also involves propaganda and manipulation. It involves the systematic effort, driven by religious malice and indoctrination, to persuade “non-believers’ to accept allegiance, command, or doctrine to and of a contrasting faith. Cases of such brainwashing are far more nuanced than direct threats, coercion, inducement and violence. In such cases, it is often seen that there is repeated, subtle and continual manipulation of the victim to induce disaffection towards their own faith and acceptance of the contrasting faith of the perpetrator. While subtle indoctrination is widely acknowledged as predatory, an element which is often understated in such conversions or the attempts of such conversion is the role of loyalty and trust which might develop between the perpetrator and the victim. Fiduciary relationships are often abused to affect such religious conversion. For example, an educator transmitting religious doctrine of a competing faith to a Hindu student. The Hindu student is likely to accept what the teacher is transmitting owing to existence of the fiduciary relationship. The exploitation of the fiduciary relationship to religiously indoctrinate victims would also be included in this category. Since the underlying animosity towards the victim’s faith forms the basis of predatory proselytization, such cases are considered religiously motivated hate crimes. Three Muslim students tried to brainwash their Hindu classmate in an attempt to convert him to Islam, pressuring him to cut off his kalava and consume halal meat. In Hinduism, the kalava holds deep religious, cultural, and spiritual significance, symbolising protection, blessings, unity, and commitment to spiritual and ethical principles. By trying to brainwash the Hindu student to cut off his kalava, the Muslim students insulted the Hindu faith and displayed a deep disdain for the religion. Additionally, they compelled him to eat meat and adopt a Muslim name, both of which violated his religious beliefs. It is, therefore, evident that the student was targeting specifically for his religious identity. This case has been documented under the category of religious intolerance, with the primary motive being disrespect for the Hindu religion.
Victim Details
Total Victim
1
Deceased
0
Gender
- Male 1
- Female 0
- Third Gender 0
- Unknown 0
Caste
- SC/ST 0
- OBC 0
- General 0
- Unknown 1
Age Group
- Minor 1
- Adult 0
- Senior Citizen 0
- Unknown 0
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
