Hindus for Human Rights Denounces Special Intensive Revision Process in West Bengal Elections |
As the people of West Bengal await the results of the legislative assembly elections, Hindus for Human Rights denounces the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision process as well as the Home Ministry’s deployment of more than 200,000 law enforcement officers to the state during elections.
Regardless of the outcome of these elections, the government of India made an intentional effort to silence millions of voters. We repeat our call to the Indian government for free and fair elections. |
Our Diverse, Global Community is Waiting for You! |
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Our membership isn't just about the perks -- it's about the community. When you become an HfHR member, you join a multigenerational community of likeminded activists, change makers, and diasporic South Asians all over the world who are committed to fighting hate, bigotry, and religious nationalism. |
Join Us for an Evening with Joe Sacco! |
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We're thrilled to be hosting two conversations with acclaimed graphic journalist Joe Sacco in NYC and DC this May! These conversations will bring together readers, activists, artists, faith communities, and human rights advocates for urgent discussions on Hindu nationalism, anti-Muslim mob violence in India, Palestine, war, and the moral responsibility of witnessing.
For the New York City event, Joe Sacco will be joined in conversation by Alex Kane, Senior Reporter at Jewish Currents, and Sunita Viswanath, Executive Director of Hindus for Human Rights. |
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New York City Event: Wednesday, May 13th 6:30 - 9:00 PM
The People's Forum, NYC Tickets: $20 |
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| Washington, D.C. Event:
Friday, May 15th 6:30 - 8:00 PM Bol Coop Bookstore, D.C. |
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Sign Up for Our Inclusive Hindu Weddings Course! |
What can a Hindu wedding look like when it fully reflects love, dignity, and inclusion?
This new three-part course with pandita and scholar Sapna Pandya explores how Hindu wedding rituals can be rethought for interfaith, inter-caste, and queer couples while staying rooted in tradition. Part of HfHR’s Samadarshini Project, the class offers an introduction to the meaning of marriage in Hinduism, the structure of wedding ceremonies, and ways to make rituals more gender-inclusive and anti-caste.
To join, become a member of Hindus for Human Rights, or register by paying a $100 course fee. |
Speaking Out for Justice at NYC's Anti-Caste Rally |
This Dalit History Month, a powerful coalition of lawmakers, advocates, and community members gathered in Jackson Heights, Queens to push forward a landmark bill that would explicitly ban caste discrimination across New York state.
This gathering was centered around the power of storytelling, as community members stepped forth to share their experiences with caste, identity, and resistance. One of these speakers was Anuraag, a HfHR NYC member, who spoke as a Hindu, trans person, person of color, and yoga teacher. Watch Anuraag's moving speech above, and be sure to learn more about what this key piece of legislation could mean for the future of human rights on our blog. |
Who Gets to Speak for Hindu Americans? |
"We cannot ask our neighbors to trust us while excusing sectarian politics within our own institutions. We cannot demand inclusion for ourselves while ignoring the exclusion of others. We cannot celebrate pluralism in public and quietly normalize majoritarianism when it arrives in familiar cultural packaging."
Our Communications Director, David Dasharath Kalal, emphasizes the responsibility that public institutions hold in choosing community partners with care and inclusion in mind, as well as the responsibility of diaspora communities in holding public institutions accountable in creating the cultural representation they wish to see. |
May 2nd, 2026 - Pilgrimage for Palestine in Atlanta, GA
Join the Atlanta Multifaith Coalition for Palestine for a monthly ceasefire pilgrimage. This 2.5-mile loop walk invites participants to come together in reflection, solidarity, and community. This gathering honors the mothers of Gaza, survivors of the Nakba, and all those who continue to nurture and care in the face of ongoing violence and displacement. Learn more here.
May 2nd, 2026 - Modi, Hindutva, and Fascism Join Indian Diaspora Washington DC Metro for an online discussion featuring Radhika Desai, Professor in the Department of Political Studies at the University of Manitoba, Canada, and Visiting Professor in the Department of International Development at the London School of Economics. Learn more here. May 9th, 2026 - Interfaith Pilgrimage for Palestine in East Bay
Join an interfaith community for a day-long, prayerful pilgrimage in support of the Oakland People’s Arms Embargo. This gathering centers reflection, solidarity, and collective action, bringing together people of diverse faiths and backgrounds to call for investment in life over war. Learn more here.
May 5, 12, and 19 2026 - Understanding Christian Zionism Join Rabbis for Ceasefire and Christians for a Free Palestine for a three-session class on Understanding Christian Zionism.
As movements build power to resist religious nationalism in all its forms, this class will explore the historical and contemporary impact of Christian Zionism, including its connections to imperialism, settler-colonialism, and white Christian nationalism. Learn more here. |
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On April 19th, community members from our HfHR NYC community gathered at Sarvamangala Shri Saneeswara Temple in Hyde Park, Long Island for Namastasyai: We Gather to Pray as One, a morning of havan, prayer, reflection, and shared belonging. This havan offered a chance to pause, breathe, and recommit ourselves to one another and our spiritual mission to build bridges instead of walls.
Check out our blog for a full recap and for a recording of a powerful performance by Pandita Pratima Doobay. |
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What's Happening in West Bengal? |
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Ahead of elections in West Bengal, millions of voters were deleted from the rolls in a process that has raised serious concerns about disenfranchisement, discrimination, and the future of Indian democracy.
Our Instagram explainer looks at what happened, who was hit hardest, and why this moment should concern anyone who cares about voting rights and equal citizenship. |
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HfHR and Coalition Partners Stop Library's Partnership with Hate Group |
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Hindus for Human Rights, wthe Indian American Muslim Council, the Sikh Coalition, Dalit Solidarity Forum USA, No Hindutva Maryland, and Peace Action Montgomery joined together in a successful coalition effort that helped stop Montgomery County Public Libraries’ planned event connected to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA).
This was an important win not only because the event was canceled, but because it made clear that public institutions like libraries must be vigilant about unknowingly partnering with groups tied to hateful, exclusionary politics under the cover of culture or community programming. |
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Become an HfHR Member Today! |
An HfHR membership gives you access to a community of progressive, change-oriented Hindus, our exclusive WhatsApp community, affinity groups, weekly community calls, merch discounts, local organizing groups, and more. Join today! |
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HfHR's Monthly Newsletter serves as your guide to our progressive Hindu advocacy over the past month! Read on to learn about our webinars, podcasts, articles, advocacy updates, anti-caste initiatives, and more.
Let us know what you think of our monthly recap! If you have ideas for news items you want to see included, or suggestions for action items or articles to highlight, let us know with the button below. |
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