Stereotypes are at times representative of reality as well as misleading at times. In both circumstances, it holds an intimate relationship with the real and serves the purpose of communication. But neither representation nor misperception can encompass the plural aspects of the real. It only leads us to conclude our reading(s) in a very shallow manner. Though stereotypes homogenises multiplicities involved in human beings, e.g. many understand Islam as one, at the same time various other stereotypes that are culturally situated in different locations can be used to defy the overarching hegemonic stereotype about Islam. For example, there is a stereotype in India that Muslims eat beef. Surely, they do just as many others do, including certain castes/sections of Hindu community who eat beef. At the same time, cow is a sacred animal in the country where a specific hegemonic religious ideology opposes beef eating. This opposition can only be relevant if there is a community, whose prese...
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