Online database of religion- based hate crimes launched

New Delhi: An online repository of religious identitybased hate crimes reported in the country was on Wednesday launched here that seeks to bring “greater accountability” on part of various justice delivery institutions for victims. Christened, Documentation of the Oppressed ( DOTO), the website, currently has data pertaining to 489 incidents and 2,670 victims, Vipul Kumar, one of the members of the team that executed the project, said. The baseline for collection of data is 2014, incidentally, the year the NDA government came to power. “The national database currently draws from secondary data, like news reports ( in English language), reports of fact- finding panels and various civil societies. But, we want to go for primary data collection as well. The data we currently have is neither comprehensive nor truly representative, but it does represent a collation of the most easily accessible information in one place. Also, we seek to bring greater accountability on part of various justice delivery institutions like the National Commission for Minorities, for victims,” he said. The website has been set up by city- based NGO, Quill Foundation, with support from the Jamaat- eIslami- Hind, Jamiat Ulema Hind, APCR, NCHRO, Citizens Against Hate, United Against Hate, Citizens for Justice and Peace, Jamiat Ahle Hadees, among other organisations, the foundation said. — PTI