Journalist dehumanises Hindus, makes Hinduphobic 'gaumutra' jibe
Kolkata, West Bengal, India 
6 March, 2024
Case Summary
ABP Ananda journalist Suman Dey made Hinduphobic comments during an interview with former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay on 7th March. Gangopadhyay, who recently joined the BJP, was asked to choose between 'Darjeeling Tea' and 'cow urine' during a rapid-fire round. “Darjeeling tea na gaumutra (Darjeeling tea or gaumutra),” he asked with a mischievous smile. The ABP Ananda journalist did not have any qualms about making casual, Hinduphobic remarks. Instead, he was seen smirking about it during the interview. It is worth noting that the ‘Gaumutra’ jibe has been popularised by Islamists and their apologists as a racist, derogatory slur against Hindus.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the hate tracker under the prime category- Hate speech against Hindus. Under this, the sub-category chosen 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. Here, ABP Ananda journalist Suman Dey made a derogatory and offensive remark against Hindus, which clearly mocks the Hindu faith and reflects deep-seated animosity toward the religion. His use of the Hinduphobic 'gaumutra' jibe during the interview not only insults Hindu practices but also demonstrates a lack of respect for the culture and faith of millions. The "gaumutra" jibe has become a frequent tool for spreading Hinduphobia, serving as a deliberate insult against the Hindu community’s reverence for the cow. This slur, often wielded by individuals or groups harbouring deep-seated animosity towards Hindu beliefs and practices, is a calculated attack on the sanctity of the cow in Hinduism, a religion where cows are considered holy. Such remarks have been observed in statements made by those who express open hostility towards Hindus, including Pulwama terrorist Ahmed Dhar, who used the slur to denigrate Hindus while justifying violence. His remark about killing CRPF soldiers because they "drink cow urine" highlights how this slur is weaponized not only to ridicule religious practices but also to justify acts of hatred and violence. The increasing use of the "gaumutra" jibe suggests a broader agenda to normalize the mockery of Hindu religious symbols, setting the stage for more direct attacks on Hindu deities and beliefs. By trivializing or ridiculing something as sacred as cow worship, it becomes easier for those with malicious intent to escalate their rhetoric into outright abuse of Hindu Gods, a pattern that has been witnessed in recent years. This slur is not simply about targeting a practice but serves as a stepping stone towards undermining the entire Hindu faith. By making offensive comments and targeting individuals based on their religious identity, the ABP Ananda journalist revealed his deep disdain for Hinduism. His words were not just casual insults but indicate a deeper hostility, fueled by a desire to demean and belittle Hindu beliefs and customs. As such, this incident is being categorized as a religiously motivated hate crime against Hindus.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Others
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
