Anti-Hindu speech: Pro-Babri slogans raised in public university on day of Ram Mandir Pran-Pratishtha in Ayodhya
Delhi, Delhi, India 
21 January, 2024
Case Summary
An anti-Hindu speech was raised by some unidentified students at Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia University, a public university with a majority of Muslim students. The incident occurred on 22nd January 2024, when tensions ran high near the university after videos surfaced online showing some students raising pro-Babri Masjid slogans on campus. An X (Twitter) handle named Fraternity Movement JMI shared a video in which some students can be heard raising slogans like ‘Strike for Babri’ and ‘RSS (Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh) down down’. The caption of the post read, “Boycott for Babri. Resistance is Remembrance Fraternity Movement Jamia Millia Islamia organised a university-wide strike, urging students to boycott classes and reading rooms in solidarity with Babri Masjid.” This took place on the same day that the nation celebrated the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha (consecration) in Ayodhya. Following the circulation of the videos, Delhi Police deployed personnel outside the campus and heightened vigilance to prevent any untoward incidents. However, no arrests were made since no official complaint was lodged with the police. The university administration stated that it was looking into the matter. It is important to note that on 22nd January 2024, the Pran Pratishtha (consecration) of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple was performed. The site had been historically revered as the birthplace of Lord Ram, which was desecrated in 1528 by the Mughal invader Babur, who ordered the construction of the Babri Masjid over it. In December 1992, when the state failed to safeguard Hindu religious aspirations, thousands of Hindu kar sevaks, determined to reclaim their sacred land, demolished the illegal Babri structure. This marked the beginning of a Hindu renaissance movement for the reconstruction of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple. After a prolonged legal struggle, culminating in a landmark Supreme Court judgement in November 2019 granting Hindus the right to rebuild their temple at the site, construction commenced with renewed determination and faith. Finally, on that historic day in January 2024, the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir was completed and consecrated, fulfilling centuries of devotion and resilience.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the primary category- Hate Speech against Hindus. Within this, 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. This case represents a clear instance of hate speech against Hindus and their sacred places of worship. It is crucial to highlight that the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, historically revered as the birthplace of Lord Ram, was desecrated during the 16th century by the Mughal invader Babur, who ordered the construction of the Babri Masjid on the site. After a prolonged legal and social battle spanning decades, the Hindu community was finally able to restore its temple, reinstating the Ram Janmabhoomi on the very ground where it had been desecrated by Muslim invaders. The perpetrators in this case, by raising pro-Babri Masjid slogans, openly demonstrate their deep-seated hostility and animosity towards the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi temple and, by extension, towards Hindus themselves. Adding to this hostility, the accused also raised anti-RSS slogans. For many anti-Hindu elements, the RSS (Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh), a Hindu organisation, is perceived as the foremost Hindu organisation and vanguard that fought relentlessly to reclaim and restore the Ram Janmabhoomi temple. Their targeting of the RSS alongside the temple symbolises a broader hatred not only for the Hindu faith and places of worship but also for those who champion Hindu causes. This multi-layered animosity reflects a deeply entrenched hostility against Hindus, their religious symbols, and their community leaders. Furthermore, the accused deliberately chose the very day of the Ram Janmabhoomi Pran Pratishtha (consecration) to raise these provocative slogans. This calculated timing was intended to stir anger among Hindus, to hurt their religious sentiments, and to undermine their faith and feelings on a day sacred for millions. Such deliberate provocation is a direct attack on the emotions and religious identity of Hindus. Consequently, this case is being included in the Hinduphobia tracker and added to the hate crime database.
Case Status
Complaint not filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
