International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief

International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief

International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief aims at raising awareness and promoting tolerance and respect towards people of all faiths and beliefs. This event encourages communities around the world to come together in solidarity to condemn acts of violence targeting people because of their religious affiliations or beliefs. It is crucial to recognize the need for promoting inclusiveness, peace, and harmony for people from diverse religious backgrounds to coexist peacefully in a globalized world.

The United Nations General Assembly established International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief on May 28, 2019, in response to the growing concern over religious intolerance, discrimination, and violence. In India, a nation with a rich history of religious diversity, this day holds particular significance. The country has witnessed numerous incidents of violence based on religion or belief, which have affected the lives of many citizens. This observance serves as an opportunity for the Indian society to reflect upon and take proactive measures to address issues of religious discrimination and promote interfaith harmony.

In India, International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief is observed through various events, including interfaith dialogues, panel discussions, workshops, and cultural programs. These activities aim at fostering respect and understanding among people of different religious and belief backgrounds, as well as promoting the values of diversity and tolerance. Indian governmental and non-governmental organizations, civil society, and religious leaders play an active role in implementing and supporting such initiatives. International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief is observed every year on August 22, reaffirming the nation's commitment to religious freedom and peace.

Facts about this day

• According to the Pew Research Center, government use of force against religious or belief communities occurred in 95 countries in 2018.
• In 2018, more than a quarter of the world’s countries experienced a high incidence of hostilities motivated by religious hatred, mob violence related to religion, terrorism, and harassment of women for violating religious codes
• Most incidences perpetrated against victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief are considered hate crimes. Hate crimes are criminal actions intended to harm or intimidate people because of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or other minority group status.
• India's current political climate, under the government of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has intensified concerns over religious intolerance, with some critics arguing that the party's Hindu nationalist ideology may exacerbate religious divisions within the country.
• One distinct form of religious violence in India is cow-related violence, where individuals have been targeted and attacked based on rumors of cow slaughter or consumption of beef. Cows are considered sacred in Hinduism, and these attacks are often connected to Hindu nationalist groups.

In the News and Trending in India for International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief

Top things to do in India for this observance

• Learn more about the UN's Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism. The plan focuses on preventing the spread of violent extremism by creating counter-terrorism measures.
• Watch the UN's video about their campaigning against attacks on religious communities. The video features a Jewish family and their struggle against anti-Semitism.
• Read a book to learn more about Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief in India:
  1)Parzania (2005) - Based on a true story, Parzania tells the story of a Parsi family whose 10-year-old son goes missing during the Gujarat riots.
  2)Black Friday (2004) - A gripping Indian docudrama that takes an in-depth look into the 1993 Bombay bombings and the subsequent investigations into the tragedy.
• Read a book to learn more about Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief in India:
  1)Religious Violence and Political Subjectivity in India: Contexts, Issues, Positions - by Sanjeana Naidu
  2)Hindu Nationalism and the Language of Politics in Late Colonial India - by William Gould