Introduction: What is Hinduism?
Hinduism is believed to be one of the most ancient living world religions, with origins that have made it to question and defy time. Hinduism is a complex and pluralistic religious tradition which is based in South Asia, mainly in India. Hindus believe in an eternal God, Allah, whose essence pervades the entire universe. They also found the essence of truth in the sacred scriptures known as the Vedas, the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita.
Uzbekistan’s Relevant Legislation
Uzbekistan is a secular republic with a predominantly Muslim population. Religion is regulated by a series of laws which were adopted in 1991. Among them, the Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations, 1997 and the Law on Traditional Religions, 2000. These two laws regulate religious activity in the country, from registration to the number of religious centers that can be legally established.
Under these laws, any religious organization must register with the state in order to exist. Whereas, Muslims and Christians were automatically registered, for other religions such as Hinduism, the process was a bit more complex.
What is the Situation with Hinduism in Uzbekistan?
Hinduism is not officially recognized as a religion in Uzbekistan and as a result, it is not allowed to be practiced in the country. Therefore, Hindus are unable to open places of worship or establish Hindu religious organisations. Additionally, Hindus are not officially allowed to publish any books about Hinduism or to print religious material.
Due to the lack of recognition, Hindus in Uzbekistan do not enjoy the same privileges as other religions, such as public preaching or state protection. As a matter of fact, Hindu monuments and artifacts in the country have been repeatedly destroyed in recent years.
Has Uzbekistan Banned Hinduism?
In a sense, no, Uzbekistan has not banned Hinduism. However, its government has not officially recognized it either. Specifically, according to the 1997 Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations, only five religions have been officially recognized by the state. They are Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism. All other groups not falling within these five categories are considered as either “others” or “nontraditional” and thus cannot practice.
Uzbekistan has been exerting efforts to welcome more religious minorities from the west, but nevertheless, Hinduism still has not gained legal recognition and is not allowed to be practiced in the country.
Why Is Hinduism Not Widely Spread In Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan’s population has traditionally been Muslim with more than 90% of the people following Islamic religion. Besides, it’s no secret that Islam has been widely defended and influenced by the government.
There are several reasons why Hinduism has not been successful in spreading in the country. Firstly, Hindus have traditionally faced discrimination due to their lack of political connections in Uzbekistan. Secondly, the country’s educational system has focused on promoting Islamic values and principles. Additionally, the restrictions and regulations imposed on religious groups whom don’t fit into Uzbek law have made it difficult for them to spread.
Finally, there is a need to increase public awareness on the Hindu religion and its values in order to spread its message.
Opposing Perspectives From Local Experts
Although, the government has not officially banned Hinduism in Uzbekistan, there are rumors and conflicting perspectives from local experts about this issue. Some argue that the government of Uzbekistan is aiming to secularize the country and therefore it does not recognize Hinduism in order to remain inclusive for all beliefs. Furthermore, some support this perspective because it also increases the investor’s confidence in the government’s policies.
On the other hand, there are those who asserts that the government has openly discouraged and suppressed Hinduism in the country in an effort to strengthen the Islamic religion and its values. Hence, these individuals believes that the government has acted in a repressive manner towards other religious beliefs, like Hinduism and other minor religions.
Exploring Economic Perspectives
Religion and economics are interconnected, and as such, any attempt to prohibit or restrict certain religions in a country may have dire economic consequences. The restriction of Hinduism in Uzbekistan has implications beyond religion and may lead to a decrease in foreign investments, as many investors and companies may be unwilling to enter a country with discriminatory policies against the Hindu religion.
The suppression of Hinduism could also hinder the country’s diplomatic relations, since many Hindu countries are neighbors and allies of Uzbekistan. Lastly, it could bring about discouraging a greater exchange of cultural ideas and experiences to Uzbekistan, thereby affecting the country’s development.
Reiteration of the Government’s Stand
The Uzbek government has not made any official declaration about Hinduism, and it is likely that it will not. Nonetheless, it is clear that the government does not recognize Hinduism as a formal religion, and thus it is not allowed to be practiced in the country.
It is important to note that the government’s regulations and restrictions on the practice of Hinduism are no different from the legal restrictions imposed on other religions. In addition, the government is taking measures to ensure religious freedom and tolerance by officially recognizing five major religions and protecting them under the law.
The Existence of Hindu Communities
Despite the legal restrictions imposed by the Uzbek government, there are some Hindu communities that have been functioning in the country for centuries. These communities are mainly composed of Hindus who migrated from India to Uzbekistan for business opportunities. Since their arrival, these Hindu communities have been quite active in terms of preserving their culture and beliefs.
They have managed to create small temples and celebrate festivals in the country. Furthermore, the members share their beliefs, knowledge and culture informally in small gatherings or community meetings. Given the lack of public support, it is remarkable that these small Hindu communities have stability and even started to spread their faith in the country.
The Impact of Suppressing Hinduism in Uzbekistan
It is clear that the practice and spread of Hinduism in Uzbekistan has been restricted by the government. Although it has not been officially declared, there is evidence of the government attempting to discourage the growth of this religion in the country.
It should also be mentioned that suppressing the practice of Hinduism in Uzbekistan has its own consequences, from decreased investments to religious intolerance. Furthermore, it hinders the cultural and spiritual growth of the country, by conducting a one-sided policy of exclusively defending Islamic values and principles.
The Complex Unofficial Status of Hindus in Uzbekistan
Hinduism has not officially been declared a religion in Uzbekistan and as a result, Hindus are not legally allowed to practice their religion in the country. However, there are small Hindu communities which have managed to exist despite this informal ban.
The government has only officially recognized five religions under the law and thus Hindus are implicitly denied basic rights and privileges given to the other registered religions. Besides, there are economic, diplomatic and even spiritual implications to suppressing any religion in a country, without considering the consequences of such decisions.
