SubscriberWrites: Bullying of Hindu children in UK is a serious issue. Underlying causes must be dealt with swiftly

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The report suggests that teaching on Hinduism in schools is fostering religious discrimination towards Hindu pupils. The report suggests it to be a recent phenomenon as in the five years prior to this, fewer than 1% of schools with Indian students queried by freedom of information (FOI) reported any anti-Hindu-related incidents. “There are references to religious supremacy as well. Hindu students have to hear comments like “Jesus will send your Gods to hell” and “Hindus are the herbivores at the bottom of the food chain, we will eat you up. If you want to go to paradise, you’ll have to come to Islam”. 

The Henry Jackson Society had earlier investigated antisemitism in schools. It found that the issue was poorly understood and inconsistently reported. 

I was surprised that friends in U.K were unaware of the report though confirmed Indian parents’ sporadic complaints about harassment of their children in schools. 

The report well covered in India both by print and electronic media has not received media attention in UK including on the BBC. A friend in New Castle subsequently telephoned the Henry Jackson Society and expressed shock to know that the report is indeed authentic and their efforts to reach media in UK have not been successful. The Society wish to disseminate the findings to as many Hindu families and talk to their children.

Even in India it has not evoked reaction from the government, often referred as that of Hindu Nationalists. There is silence from the human and child right organizations, liberal press, and activists advocating equality and human rights. They would have gone hammer and tongs if there was a similar report on islamophobia. 

Since the report is authentic and not sponsored by any pressure group, it merits attention. 

One cannot but recall Vivekananda, a Hindu monk, addressing the “ Sisters and Brothers of America” on 11 September 1893 at the parliament of religions, Chicago. He mesmerized the audience with his opening address, “It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions; and I thank you in the name of the millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects”.

He added, “I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true”.   I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings: ‘As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.’

So Where does the fault lie?

Some blame can be apportioned to the U.K education system that brings religious studies in curriculum without adequate preparation. The teachers or the fellow students, faithfully brought up in their respective Faiths, have a feeling of superiority denying respect for other religions  about whom they know little or nothing.  

The major blame, however, rests on the Hindu households and the religious leaders who have failed their children in imbibing the essence of Hinduism. This is mainly because they themselves know little of the religion except some superficial symbolism. Young children in impressionable age lack the confidence to answer queries from the peers brought up in monolithic Abrahamic religions of One God, One book with no space for questions or debate! The conversions are considered legitimate and even an essential aspect of the Abrahamic religions. 

Hindu children (and even adults) should find it extremely difficult to defend polytheism, festivals, openness to questioning and even denial of rituals. Tolerance and respect for all religions may confound them further and may even hinder them from countering mistaken superiority claimed by peers. 

They may be interacting within family of non believers, agnostics and even atheists and yet continue to be Hindus. The children would absorb these strengths of Hinduism only if conveyed unambiguously to them bringing self assurance not necessarily to argue but to have a quiet comfortable confidence in themselves. It would be difficult to bully a child who is confident and courageous.

If not handled early the trauma of continuous bullying can become a public health issue, pushing children into depression, low self esteem, and serious mental health illness; they may or may not fall victims to conversion if only to escape the harrowing experience.

Religious leaders, social influencers and society need to define basic tenets of Hindu religion in simple language that is understood by all. A simple gist of Hinduism with focus on its spirituality that gives freedom to grow would go a long way in making people from other faiths to understand the eternal values of Dharma or righteousness of Hinduism. The traditions and culture when explained to children would create positivity and make them firm around religious customs. Festivals are not just about food and fun only but there is more to it.

Let us not make the mistake of early reformers like Ram Mohan Roy holding religion and religious institutions responsible for social ills like caste. This approach “pulled down religion and caste all together”.  Vivekananda did not spare the wrongs of Hinduism but his criticism was only to restore the glory of religion and not to dismantle.

These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.