Together, this expanded leadership opens a new era of synergy and efficacy across three connected areas of work. HfHR will continue its human rights advocacy, public education, coalition building, and international organizing. HfHR Action will translate progressive Hindu values into political power and direct electoral engagement. Samadarshini will deepen the theological, spiritual, intellectual, and cultural work of building an anti-caste, feminist, pluralist, and radically inclusive Hinduism.
The announcement comes on Ganesh Chaturthi, a fitting moment to honor HfHR’s founders, welcome new leadership, and enter an important new undertaking with wisdom, imagination, and courage.
The transition builds on one of the most energetic and visible periods in HfHR’s history. Over the past year, the organization mobilized international solidarity with India’s student-led movement for democracy and accountability and led a major transnational campaign challenging RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s tour of the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
That campaign included research, demonstrations, policy advocacy, interfaith organizing, open letters, and a New York City Hall press conference. It generated major coverage from the Associated Press, ABC News, Al Jazeera, Religion News Service, Prism, and Scroll, reinforcing a central truth: the RSS does not speak for all Hindus.
HfHR Action carried that momentum into the political sphere, announcing that nearly 100 elected officials and candidates across eight states had pledged to reject political contributions associated with the RSS and its affiliates.
This work builds on HfHR’s sustained efforts to reshape the global conversation around Hindutva and religious nationalism, including its organizing during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2023 state visit to the United States. HfHR’s chapters and member networks across the United States, together with HfHR UK and HfHR Australia and New Zealand, have built a movement capable of acting locally while shaping international discourse.
With Tadepalli leading HfHR, Chakrabarty leading HfHR Action, and Viswanath deepening her work with Samadarshini, this new leadership structure marks an ambitious new phase for the progressive Hindu movement. Viswanath and Raju Rajagopal will continue to serve as founders and strategic advisors, supported by the vision, care, and commitment of the full board. Together, the movement moves forward with greater capacity, sharper purpose, and renewed energy for the work ahead.
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For all press and media inquiries, please contact:
Faria Rehman, Campaigns & Press Relations Manager faria@hindusforhumanrights.org
