The Hinduphobia Tracker, launched by the Gavishti Foundation, is an initiative aimed at documenting religiously motivated hate crimes against Hindus both in India and globally. The foundation is led by Nupur J Sharma, editor-in-chief of OpIndia, and Rahul Roushan, its CEO. The tracker’s primary objective is to raise awareness about the persecution of Hindus, advocate for their rights, and provide a transparent and accurate record of incidents that reflect the ongoing bias and violence faced by Hindus based on their religious identity.
The tracker categorizes hate crimes into eight key areas, all thoroughly defined using international standards and conventions. These include hate crimes against women in relationships and sexual crimes, attacks that don’t result in death, attacks on Hindu religious symbols, restrictions or bans on Hindu practices, hate speech against Hindus, predatory proselytization, attacks on Hindu men for being associated with non-Hindu women, and attacks resulting in death. Each case is explained in detail to show how the incident fits into these categories and why it qualifies as a hate crime rooted in religious animosity.
At the time of release, the Hinduphobia Tracker recorded 1,314 hate crimes against Hindus since January 2023. Additionally, there are 191 undecided cases—where a crime is suspected to be a hate crime but lacks sufficient evidence to confirm the religious motive. Moreover, there are 589 cases pending review. These cases are analyzed with the goal of ensuring accuracy and transparency in the representation of incidents. The database is continuously updated as more information becomes available, with efforts to document as many hate crimes as possible.
The tracker operates a publicly accessible database, where users can explore recorded cases, analyze data through visualizations and charts, and interact with a map that marks locations of each reported crime. The interactive map displays hate crimes with distinct symbols based on their category, and users can click on these symbols for summaries and detailed case information. The database can be filtered by categories, time periods, and keywords, offering a personalized experience for individuals who wish to explore specific types of hate crimes or focus on a particular location.
The website also provides an option for individuals to submit new hate crimes. Users can report additional cases by filling out an online form, providing supporting documents like newspaper clippings, videos, or official reports. These submissions are reviewed by the Hinduphobia Tracker team to determine whether they meet the criteria for being classified as a religiously motivated hate crime. This feature encourages active participation from the public, helping to build a comprehensive record of anti-Hindu hate incidents.
One of the key goals of the Hinduphobia Tracker is to create a working definition of Hinduphobia—a term that has evolved to encompass various negative attitudes, actions, and prejudices against Hindus. According to the tracker, Hinduphobia includes any behavior, speech, or attitude that stems from hatred, fear, prejudice, or animosity toward Hindus. It is directed not just toward individuals but also Hindu communities, their religious practices, symbols, temples, and cultural values. This prejudice can manifest through violence, discrimination, dehumanization, or hate speech, and can be perpetuated through various forms of media, including academic, institutional, and political discourse.
The tracker’s goal is not only to document incidents but also to advocate against the biases and discrimination faced by Hindus. By accurately recording and categorizing these hate crimes, it aims to represent the severity and scale of Hinduphobia globally. The Hinduphobia Tracker provides a platform for advocacy and education, helping to raise awareness of the challenges Hindus face and ensuring that their stories are heard.
Additionally, the tracker has a dispute resolution process, allowing users to challenge the inclusion or categorization of cases within the database. The database is continuously updated, and users can submit additional information or raise concerns regarding any cases listed. This openness to community involvement ensures that the platform remains dynamic and responsive to new developments.
While the current database focuses on crimes from January 2023 onwards, there are plans to expand its coverage in the future. The Hinduphobia Tracker’s mission is to provide a transparent, comprehensive, and accurate representation of the hate crimes targeting Hindus, contributing to the broader conversation around human rights, religious tolerance, and the protection of vulnerable communities worldwide.
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