My ‘Hindu identity’ targeted at London School of Economics, alleges Karan Kataria from Haryana

PTC Web Desk: Karan Kataria, a 22-year-old student from Haryana, who has been studying at the London School of Economics, England, has alleged an attack on his Hindu identity.  

Karan Kataria has claimed that he was disqualified from the London School of Economics Students' Union elections over his 'Hindu and Indian identity'.  He is pursuing post-graduate studies there.

Karan Kataria, who belonged to Haryana, alleged that he faced “personal, vicious, and targeted” attacks due to anti-India rhetoric and Hinduphobia prevalent on the campus. 

I have faced personal, vicious, and targeted attacks due to the anti-India rhetoric and Hinduphobia. I demand that the @lsesu is transparent about its reasoning.

I will not be a SILENT victim of Hinduphobia.@LSEnews @HCI_London @BobBlackman pic.twitter.com/65LKaFAI7J — Karan Kataria (@karanatLSE) April 2, 2023

"When I started my post-graduate studies at LSE, I sincerely hoped to strive for and further fulfil my passion for student welfare. But my dreams were shattered when a deliberately orchestrated smear campaign was launched against me solely because of my Indian and Hindu identity," he said in a statement posted on Twitter.

“Despite receiving immense support from students of all nationalities, I was disqualified from the General Secretary election of the LSE Student Union. The allegations against me ranged from being homophobic, Islamophobic, queerphobic, and Hindu Nationalist. … Instead of identifying and punishing the wrongdoers who initiated this hateful campaign… the LSESU conveniently disqualified me without hearing my side of the story or revealing the votes I received,” added Karan Kataria.

“Moreover, on the last polling day, Indian students were bullied and targeted for their national and Hindu religious identities. The students raised this issue, but the LSESU brushed it aside by not acting against the bullies. The silent treatment of the students’ complaints about such unacceptable behaviour also justifies the accusation of Hinduphobia against the LSESU,” said Kataria.

On the other hand, London School of Economics Students' Union issued a statement claiming "the body operates in a fair and democratic manner and has a firm zero-tolerance stance towards any form of harassment and bullying. It has also ordered an external review of this year’s elections".

Meanwhile, a friend of the victim has also shared a post on Twitter saying "I have been targeted and taunted based on my religious identity and for supporting a friend in the student union elections. The Student Union refuses to take appropriate action..."

I have been targeted and taunted based on my religious identity and for supporting a friend in the student union elections. The Student Union refuses to take appropriate action.#discriminationoncampus #karan4gensec @lsesu @LSEnews @PMOIndia @HCI_London @mkstalin @karanatLSE pic.twitter.com/lX6uZlbJj3 — Tejashwini Shankar (@tejashwini_v__) April 3, 2023

- With inputs from agencies