Answer

Discrimination or hatred toward Jains is usually called:

• Anti-Jain prejudice
• Anti-Jain discrimination
• Jainophobia — sometimes used, though it is not as widely established as terms like antisemitism or Islamophobia

Strictly speaking, “racism” is not the most accurate word, because Jains are a religious community, not a race. A more accurate term is religious discrimination against Jains.

Where does it happen?

Anti-Jain prejudice can happen wherever Jains live as a minority, including:

• Schools and colleges — mocking Jain food practices, fasting, or non-violence
• Workplaces — not respecting dietary restrictions, Paryushan, or religious observances
• Social settings — making fun of Jain vegetarianism, ahimsa, or rituals
• Online spaces — stereotypes, jokes, misinformation, or hateful comments about Jains
• Public life — misunderstanding Jain identity, temples, monks, nuns, or practices

It can occur in India as well as in diaspora communities outside India, especially when people do not understand Jain Dharma.

Explanation

Examples of anti-Jain prejudice may include:

• Mocking Jains for not eating root vegetables
• Insulting Jain monks or nuns
• Forcing or pressuring Jains to eat food against their principles
• Spreading false claims about Jain Dharma
• Treating Jain practices as “strange” or “extreme” without understanding them

Spiritual Understanding

From a Jain perspective, prejudice arises from mithyatva — wrong understanding — and from passions such as anger, ego, deceit, and greed. Jain Dharma teaches ahimsa, anekantavada, and respect for all living beings, so hatred toward any community is spiritually harmful.

Takeaway

The best term is anti-Jain discrimination or anti-Jain prejudice. “Jainophobia” may be used informally, but it is not universally recognized.