Uddhav Thackeray uses Gaumutra jibes to attack RSS-BJP at Nagpur's Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) event
Nagpur, Maharashtra, India 
15 April, 2023
Case Summary
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray launched an attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party for criticising his faction for joining hands with the Congress and alleged that the RSS-BJP's Hindutva is "Gaumutradhari Hindutva". Thackeray was present at the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) event to show “unity and strength” in Nagpur. The event was organised amid the speculations of a split in the opposition. Attacking BJP in his speech he said, “On one hand they read Hanuman Chalisa and on the other hand, they go to mosques and listen Qawali, is this their Hindutva? There (RSS-BJP) Hindutva is ‘Gaumutradhari Hindutva.” Referencing to the reports that Gaumutra was sprinkled in Sambhajinagar where MVA conducted a public meeting he said, “They recently sprinkled cow urine at the place in Sambhajinagar where we conducted our public meeting. They should have drunk some cow urine, they would have become wiser." Ex-CM Thackeray has used Gaumutra jibes on several occasions to attack RSS-BJP.
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 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. Here, Uddhav Thackeray went on a Hinduphobic rhetoric to target RSS and BJP. The use of the 'gaumutra' jibe, 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 using this Hinduphobic term to attack political opponents, Thackeray not only undermines those practices but also disrespects the religious sentiments of Hindus who hold these beliefs dear. This kind of rhetoric reflects a deeper disdain toward Hindu customs and traditions, reducing them to tools for political mockery. The intent behind the action could only possibly be that of provoking Hindus and showing disrespect towards their faith. Since such callous behaviour can only stem from a profound contempt for the Hindu religion, this case deserves to be recorded in this hate tracker.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Others
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
