Hindu students stopped from wearing tilak, raising "Jai Shri Ram" slogan by college professor
Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India 
21 November, 2024
Case Summary
Students of Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan in Pragpur, Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, protested against a professor who prohibited them from wearing tilak on their foreheads and chanting "Jai Shri Ram." They submitted a written complaint to the institute's director, Professor Satyam Kumari, who referred the matter to a disciplinary committee for investigation. The professor reportedly discouraged the use of "Jai Shri Ram," labelling it political, which angered students and led to accusations of misbehavior and discrimination. The issue escalated as Hindu organizations, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and Brahmin Sabha, joined the protests outside the campus. These groups demanded strict action against the professor, asserting that such actions hurt Hindu sentiments. The protesters chanted "Jai Shri Ram" and performed hymns in Bhagwan Ram’s praise. The director assured a fair investigation, stating that notices were issued, and statements would be taken from all parties involved. The disciplinary committee is expected to provide its findings soon. In the meantime, the students and Hindu organizations have warned that protests will continue if appropriate action is not taken, emphasizing the protection of their religious rights.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This incident qualifies as a religiously motivated hate crime under the sub-category-Restriction on expression of Hindu Identity, within the prime category- Restriction/ban on Hindu practices. An example of the state-affected prejudicial and targeted orders against the Hindu community would be a government denying the right of a Hindu or a group of Hindus to hold a religious procession owing to the animosity of non-Hindu groups. Denial of the religious right of the Hindus to assuage the non-Hindu group which harbours animosity to a point where it could lead to violence against Hindus is not only a failure of law and order but is a prejudicial order against Hindus, denying them their fundamental rights to express their religious identity. An example of a hate crime against Hindus by a non-Hindu would be a non-Hindu institution forcing its Hindu employees to abandon religious symbols that a Hindu would wear as an expression of faith owing to inherent prejudice against the faith professed by the victim or a non-Hindu group of people restricting a Hindu group from constructing a place of worship simply because the demography of the area in which the temple is being built is dominated by non-Hindus. Such actions are driven by religious animosity and/or prejudice against Hindus and their faith and would therefore be categorized as a hate crime. By stopping students from wearing tilak, a traditional mark of piety, and discouraging the chanting of "Jai Shri Ram," a popular and revered slogan among Hindus, the professor infringed upon the students' fundamental right to freely express their religious identity. This deliberate attempt to suppress and marginalize Hindu religious symbols and practices is rooted in a broader pattern of hostility towards Hindu traditions. Such actions, which seek to curb the visible and vocal expression of Hindu beliefs, amount to an attack on their cultural and religious rights, making it a religiously motivated hate crime under the specified category.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Others
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
