Rashmi Samant Row: Oxford Hindu Society Dubs Her Posts Racist, But Condemns 'Hinduphobia'

The Rashmi Samant Oxford controversy takes another turn as the university's Hindu Society issues a statement on the matter. In light of the row surrounding Samant's old social media posts that led her to resign from her post as Oxford Students' Union President, the Hindu Society has condemned both her "racially insensitive" remarks, as well as those made by a staff member at the university against her.

Old social media posts Samant made, that came to public light after her election in February, were deemed racist towards Jews and Asian people by the student community. Following wide backlash, the 22-year-old stepped down as the first Indian woman student president in the history of Oxford.

Oxford University Hindu Society, a collective led by students on campus, in their official statement said, "Ms Samant’s posts on social media are racially insensitive towards the East-Asian, Jewish and trans communities and her subsequent failure to take responsibility of her actions, and instead, conjure elaborate falsehoods in an attempt to cover her actions are strongly reprehensible in the eyes of the Oxford University Hindu Society."

Rashmi Samant Oxford Row Opens Questions On 'Cancel Culture'

In her interview with SheThePeople (which you can read here), Samant had brought notice to how a member of Oxford staff had partaken in the outrage against her by retrieving posts from her parents' Facebook profile in a bid to show down her Hindu identity, questioning whether the university needed a president with an ideology as hers.

The Hindu Society, to that end, also calls out Dr Abhijit Sarkar and the remarks he made against Samant and Hindus, demanding his resignation. "Dr Sarkar’s social media posts about Ms Samant’s parents and following Hinduphobic caption made the claim that a follower of “Sanatan Dharma”, or Hinduism, should not be allowed to become the leader of the Student Union. Ms Samant cannot be viewed as her parents... It is imperative that Dr Sarkar both apologise to Ms Samant and resign from his position as a member of this University’s faculty."

Earlier this week, Samant's issue was addressed in the Indian Parliament, with the government saying they hold strong ties to the United Kingdom and would raise the subject diplomatically when required. More here. 

The Rashmi Samant Oxford row has also opened debate on 'cancel culture' and what constitutes it. Samant told us that hers was a case where a woman had been 'cancelled' for remarks she made incognisantly and was hence subjected to a social media trial for it.

Resignation Not Per Hindu Or Indian Identity: Oxford India Society

On March 22, another statement was issued by Indian students at Oxford, this time as a joint comment by the Oxford India Society, Oxford Hindu Society and Oxford South Asian Society. The statement outlines coverage of the case in media, saying that a "false narrative" is being peddled wherein the former President-elect's resignation has allegedly been fuelled by "racism."

"We are deeply concerned that sections of the Indian media are trying to pretend that this issue is one of racism against Hindus or Indians. As societies representing the Hindu, Indian and South Asian populations on campus, we are displeased by this false narrative, and urge the media to stop pedalling disinformation in the garb of news."

See the statement on Rashmi Samant Oxford coverage: 

Joint Statement by the Oxford India Society, Oxford Hindu Society & Oxford South Asian Society to Address the Recent Coverage of the Ex-SU President-Elect

Link: https://t.co/NHRZpjedUA pic.twitter.com/g4aCerh6n4

— Oxford India Society (@oxfordind) March 21, 2021