Hindu ritual of holy bath in Maha Kumbh mocked by Congress leader

Case Summary
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge delivered a hate speech targeting the religious rituals performed during one of the most revered Hindu events of the Maha Kumbh being held in Prayagraj. Referring to Home Minister Amit Shah’s dip in the Triveni Sangam, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge remarked that "even if they take 100 births, they will not be able to go to heaven." He further questioned whether taking a dip in the Ganga could alleviate poverty or provide food. Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Sambit Patra condemned Kharge’s comments, labelling them as anti-Hindu and an insult to Sanatan Dharma. He demanded an apology from the Congress party to the Hindu community and questioned whether Congress would dare to make similar remarks about other religions. Following backlash, Kharge expressed regret and apologised, stating that his remarks were not intended to hurt religious sentiments. Despite his apology, the statement sparked a strong reaction from Hindus.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the category of- 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 holy dip in the Ganga during the Maha Kumbh is of profound spiritual significance for Hindus. The dip, particularly at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj (the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati), is believed to cleanse a person of all sins and offer spiritual renewal. For millions of devotees, immersing themselves in the Ganga during the Maha Kumbh is an act of devotion, faith, and a direct connection to divine blessings, purifying them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The Congress President's remarks regarding the religious rituals performed during the Maha Kumbh are a blatant insult to Hindus and their religious sentiments. By questioning the significance of the sacred act of taking a dip in the Triveni Sangam and implying that it would not lead to salvation, Kharge demonstrated a clear disregard for Hindu beliefs and practices. Such comments, which mock deeply cherished traditions, can only be made by individuals who show no respect for Hinduism. This type of speech goes beyond criticism—it is a deliberate attack on the faith and spirituality of millions of Hindus. It undermines the sanctity of one of Hinduism’s most revered events. In this context, Kharge’s statement is a clear example of hate speech, as it is motivated by animosity toward Hinduism and its cultural practices, and for this reason, this incident has been included in the tracker.

Case Status
Unknown

Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
State and Establishment
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male