Gaumutra jibes, Hindu faith and Hindus abused by Christian journalist
Goa, India 
1 May, 2024
Case Summary
Herman Gomez, a Christian journalist residing in Goa, has been criticised for his anti-Hindu remarks. He has used derogatory language against Hindus, including terms like "beef", "cow urine", "cow dung" and "Sati", and has abused a female bureau chief. He has also made derogatory comments about a BJP candidate from Hyderabad, calling her "transgender". In one tweet, he insults a person by accusing them of practicing Sati and tells a Hindu woman to eat beef. He refers to Indians as 'poor' in response to journalist Sushant Sinha and uses derogatory language against them. He proudly admits to verbally abusing a female bureau chief and refers to BJP supporters as dung eaters and sex criminals. Gomez also said that Indians living abroad exchange citizenship for allowing their wives to engage in extramarital relationships, particularly targeting Gujaratis. Gomez, who holds Portuguese citizenship and currently resides in London, has worked in news organisations such as Times Network and CNN-NEWS18. Despite his controversial remarks, no action has been taken against him by his current employer, Herald Goa.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the hate tracker under the prime 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 stems out of inherent animosity and hates towards Hindus and their faith, therefore, it is categorised as hate speech targeted at Hindus specifically owing to their religious identity. Here, Herman Gomez, a Christian journalist from Goa, makes a series of derogatory and offensive remarks against Hindus, which clearly mock the Hindu faith and reflect deep-seated animosity toward the religion. His repeated use of derogatory language, including terms like "cow urine," "cow dung" and "Sati," not only insults Hindu practices but also demonstrates a lack of respect for the culture and faith of millions. In Hinduism, cow urine (gaumutra) and cow dung hold religious, spiritual, and medicinal significance, deeply rooted in the belief that the cow is a sacred animal. However, recently, the "gaumutra" jibe has become a frequent tool for anti-Hindu bigots, 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. Mocking cow urine is an attempt to delegitimize and belittle the Hindu faith itself. 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, Gomez reveals his disdain for Hinduism. His words are 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
Complaint not filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Christian Extremists
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
