Jai Shri Ram is a Hindi expression, translating to "Glory to Lord Rama" or "Victory to Lord Rama".[1] The proclamation has been used as an informal greeting[2] or as a symbol of adhering to Hindu faith[3][4] or for projection of varied faith-centered emotions, by Hindus in recent past.[5][6][7] The expression was used by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which embraced the slogan in the late 20th century, as a tool of increasing the visibility of Hinduism in public spaces and went on to use it as a war-cry, for perpetration of communal atrocities against people of other faiths.[8][9][10]
In the late 1980's, the slogan was popularised by Ramanand Sagar's television series Ramayan, where it was used by Hanuman and the monkey army as a war cry when they fought the demon army of Ravan in order to free Sita.[11] The Vishva Hindu Parishad and its Sangh Parivar allies, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, used it in their Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi movement.[11]
In 1992, during riots and Demolition of Babri Masjid, the same slogans were raised.[12][13]
In 2019, before his lynching, Tabrez Ansari was forced by the mob to chant religious slogans "Jai Shree Ram" and "Jai Hanuman".[14]
On February 2020, in an incident of mass molestation and sexual harassment at Gargi College, the CPI's women association alleged that the perpetrators were chanting the slogan of "Jay Shree Ram"[15]
The chant was heard again later the same month as Hindutva-inspired rioters torched Muslim properties and houses during the North East Delhi riots.[16][17] At least 20 people were killed in over three days of riots. Wounded residents fleeing the area described being beaten by mobs chanting the slogan, and being stopped multiple times by Hindus demanding they pull down their pants to show whether or not they were circumcised. [18] In one instance, an 85-year-old woman was burnt alive.[19][20] The rioters were reported to have kept chanting "Jai Shri Ram" while beating their victims.[21] The police were also found to join in the chant while siding with the Hindu mobs.[22] The Muslims were told Hindustan me rehna hoga, Jai Shri Ram kehna hoga ("if you want to stay in India, you will have to chant Jai Shri Ram").[23] Indian journalist Rana Ayyub, writing in TIME, commented that the slogan had become a "racist dog whistle" against Muslims.[19]
In Aurangabad, a man alleged that he was beaten up by four men and forced to chant Jai Shri Ram[24] However, a day after filing a complaint, he admitted that he had fabricated the story in a bid to raise his stature among his community members, and teach a lesson to people who dare to challenge people from his community.[citation needed]
Students of a Madarsa in Unnao alleged that they were beaten while playing cricket and were forced to say Jai Shri Ram. But an investigation revealed that it was a dispute between two sides over playing cricket. An imam in Bhagpat alleged that he was thrashed for refusing to chant Jai Shri Ram. Police investigations launched into the matter revealed that it was a petty brawl with some men.[25][26][failed verification]