Anti-Hindu Hate in UK Schools based on the Henry Jackson Society report

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This study examined the prevalence of discrimination against Hindu pupils in schools in the UK and found that it is present in the classroom. Incidents, in the main, emanate from peers but there have been concerns that some schools’ approaches to teaching Hinduism are fostering prejudice.

Whilst bullying has the potential to affect students of all ethnic and religious backgrounds, this study investigates a form of hate that is under researched. This is the first dedicated report investigating discrimination against Hindus in UK schools. It highlights the extent to which schools are seemingly ill-equipped to identify and prevent anti-Hindu hate.

More widely, the findings of this report suggest that, by extension, schoolchildren from other religious minorities in Britain may also be experiencing alienation and bullying that escapes official notice. This study follows previous work by the Henry Jackson Society looking into antisemitism in schools which found that issue was also poorly understood and inconsistently reported. The school experience of all religious minority students in the UK deserves further urgent study.

The lack of national reporting requirements on race or faith-targeted hate incidents in schools has been a matter of growing concern. This study adds to the evidence that such incidents are more widespread than thought, cause deep distress and may undermine community cohesion. The study highlights the urgent need for schools to take a more proactive approach towards how they understand, record and tackle the particular types of prejudice manifesting in their classrooms.

Failure to record bullying incidents in detail and address patterns that may be emerging could result in missed opportunities to build a safe and equal society, not just for the Hindu community but for the safety and well-being of minority communities more broadly. Schools have a special responsibility as a point of contact where young people of all backgrounds may come together and need help in negotiating their differences with sensitivity and understanding. As a first step to uncovering the scale of the problem, the Government should reconsider its 2012 and 2017 guidance, and introduce new reporting standards for schools that cover both race and faith-targeted hate incidents.

The quality of teaching on Hinduism has been raised as a key concern by the surveyed parents. Concerns centre around Hinduism being taught through an Abrahamic faith lens, affording inappropriate weight to ‘Gods’ and misunderstanding the key concepts. The misconceptions are said to be a direct cause of bullying in the classroom. A deep analysis of teaching on Hinduism is beyond the scope of this report but the findings point to a distinct need for enquiry and consultation.

The findings of this study add weight to the recommendations made by the Commission on Religious Education that there should be a statutory, national approach to teaching religious education subject to inspection. The Commission also recommended a wider lens on the subject that avoids a purely Abrahamic framework and access to national resources that can support all schools in teaching the complex and sensitive issues that arise. Shifting onus away from the present decentralised system of local SACREs (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education) would increase quality assurance and provide a more standardised approach for all students.

Report : https://henryjacksonsociety.org/wp-...Anti-Hindu-Hate-in-Schools-Briefing-final.pdf
 
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Few findings from the report.

One of the most revealing findings in this report, is the prevalence of certain slurs
in the classroom and around school, which can only serve to alienate young Hindu
people. Young Hindus are facing a range of prejudice from that which targets their
religion to xenophobia, what is clear is that this type of discrimination is going under
the radar; with incidents not being properly recorded or reported

The quality of teaching on Hinduism has been raised as a key concern by the surveyed
parents. Concerns centre around Hinduism being taught through an Abrahamic faith
lens, affording inappropriate weight to ‘Gods’ and misunderstanding the key concepts

There are few themes identified by this study

Theme One: Anti-Hindu Slurs
References made to polytheism, religious practices and idol worship; this has been
grouped as ‘anti-Hindu slurs’.

Theme Two: Far Right/Xenophobia
Typical xenophobic tropes such as ‘go back home’ and negative references made to
skin colour have been coded as ‘far right’. This means they reflect far right inspired
thinking not that the pupil necessarily identifies as such.

Theme Three: Islamist Extremism
References to Islamic supremacy and calls for Hindus to convert or threats of hell for
disbelievers have been grouped as ‘Islamist extremism’. This means they reflect Islamist
inspired thinking not that the pupil necessarily subscribes to Islamist extremism.

Theme Four: Linking Hindu Pupils to India
Holding Hindu pupils accountable for political or societal issues in India, or holding
Hinduism responsible for societal ills in India such as the caste system.

Caste is a complex cultural issue that is mentioned in some Hindu texts.

“To appreciate the nature and function of caste, an understanding of historical,
theological and sociological elements is needed which is typically beyond the scope of
primary and even secondary education.” Dr Rishi Handa, Head of Sanskrit, and Head of
Religious Studies & Philosophy at St James Senior Boys’ School. 23
Hindus in this study have consistently raised it as an inappropriate topic to be taught
as part of the Hindu faith. The emphasis in the classroom on caste singles out Hindu
pupils in a particularly negative light.

Theme Five: Poor Teaching
Comments were made around inadequate teaching on Hinduism.

Theme Six: Lack of School Provision
Noted was an unequal approach by schools to Hindu practices and festivals when
compared with other faiths.
 
Few specific examples

“You don’t know about your own religion, you have so many gods. Your religion is idol worship (even though they were corrected to say deity worship, and they continued to insist that it’s the same). When teachers say these things, they undermine the students and make a mockery of them.” - Very similar to how few people perceive Hinduism o this forum

“My child went to school with a religious symbol on his forehead. He was bullied until he no longer wanted to attend school. Over the years we have had to change his school three times within East London.”

“My daughter was bullied at school and had beef thrown at her by classmates as she is a Hindu.”
 
I didn't follow that thread. Are u suggesting none of this is happening?

I think you should read the thread before doing this thread and see what arguments have been presented there.

I am not aware of this report but others are who will answer your concerns soon.
 
How difficult or easy is it to corroborate these findings independently?

I think experiences of people who can come forward now will be the best way forward.

I would have thought many would have by now and am sure have but I haven't seen those reports.
 
I think experiences of people who can come forward now will be the best way forward.

I would have thought many would have by now and am sure have but I haven't seen those reports.

If this has happened its criminal. May be the government should investigate and find out the truth. If this is false then this is an attempt to incite enemity between two communities.
 
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