Persecution of Hindus

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Kashi-gyanvapi (1)

Family members with massacred Hindus in Rakhine State

Fiji-0050

Persecution of Hindus refers to the religious persecution inflicted upon followers of the Hindu faith. This persecution has occurred historically and continues in various forms across different countries. The persecution includes forced conversions, destruction of temples, violence, and discrimination in education and employment.

Historical Context

The history of persecution of Hindus can be traced back to the medieval period, with the invasion of the Indian subcontinent by various Muslim empires, such as the Ghaznavids and the Delhi Sultanate. These invasions often led to widespread destruction of Hindu temples, mass conversions of Hindus to Islam under duress, and imposition of taxes on those who remained Hindu. The Mughal Empire, particularly under rulers like Aurangzeb, is noted for its religious intolerance and persecution of Hindus through heavy taxes, conversion campaigns, and destruction of temples to make way for mosques.

In the modern era, the partition of India in 1947 led to unprecedented violence and persecution of Hindus in what became Pakistan and Bangladesh. Millions of Hindus were forced to flee to India to escape violence and religious persecution.

Contemporary Persecution

In contemporary times, Hindus face persecution in several countries:

Pakistan

Hindus in Pakistan have faced religious discrimination and violence, including forced conversions, attacks on temples, and targeted killings. The Hindu community, being a religious minority, also suffers from legal and social discrimination.

Bangladesh

Similar to Pakistan, Bangladesh has seen instances of violence against Hindus, destruction of property, and forced conversions. The Hindu population in Bangladesh has significantly declined since the country's independence in 1971 due to these acts of persecution.

India

In India, while Hindus are in the majority, there have been instances of persecution in regions where they are in the minority, such as in Jammu and Kashmir, where an exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, a Hindu community, occurred in the late 20th century due to militancy.

Other Countries

Hindus have also reported instances of discrimination and persecution in countries where they are a minority, including Fiji, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia, among others.

International Response

The international community has occasionally spoken out against the persecution of Hindus, though critics argue that the response has been inadequate. Non-governmental organizations and human rights groups continue to highlight the plight of persecuted Hindus around the world.

See Also

• Religious persecution
• Hinduism in Pakistan
• Hinduism in Bangladesh
• Kashmiri Pandits