Hinduphobia

Hinduphobia, a sociopolitical phenomenon needs to be understood not only as a systematic denial of Hinduism in academic and media discourses, but also as an integral part of a broader distortion in the global, modern commonsense on nature, animals, diet, and life itself. By reducing social problems, even serious ones like malnutrition, to an ahistorical fantasy narrative that blames Hinduism, and by failing to introspect on the assumptions about carnivory formulated in other lands and times, it feeds a failing propaganda for violence. This generally happens due to Western readers, unaware of the nuances of Indian culture, jump to offer simplistically, racist comments like “lose the religion and eat some beef,” even on the usually intelligent media like NPR.
Etymology and definitions
Term 'Hinduphobia' is a Neologism, formed from Hindu and Phobia, the term is used to refer prejudice against Hindu religion.
Hinduphobia is most commonly defined as "Fear, loathing, hatred, deep disrespect of Hinduism, its symbols, practices, beliefs and/or practitioners" Hinduphobia is different from Anti-Hinduismin the sense that the later is often used to refer violent and abusive anti-Hindu activities which are visible and obvious while the former is used to refer contemporary anti-Hindu approach ambiguously practiced in academic, political, social discourse.
Hinduphobia is often correlated with Indophobia,Yogaphobia, but the later terms are used for their specific meanings. The phenomena of Indophobia and Yogaphobia can lead to the Hinduphobia and vice-versa but these terms are distinct and separate.
Historical Reference
Earlier reference of the term Hinduphobia is found in the "The Collected Works of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel". In the book Sardar Patel has been quoted saying "it seems Mr. Churchill is still seized by his favorite disease — Hindu phobia — and is determined to wreck all that good work
by his most unwise disregard of the proverbial virtue of silence." Reference of term Hinduphobia is found in the paper "Hinduphobia and Hinduphilia in US Culture" of Stephen Prothero of Boston University.
The term "Hinduphobia" was recently popularized by Vamsee Juluri, Professor of media studies at the University of San Francisco, in his book 'REARMING HINDUISM - Nature, Hinduphobia and the Return of Indian Intelligence'. the book is said to be "a handbook for intellectual resistance" to show "Hinduphobia in today’s academia, media and popular culture" which denies "the truth and elegance of Hindu thought" and "the very integrity and sanctity of the natural world itself"

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