Statement from Hindus for Human Rights on the Israeli Bombing of Iran and the Risk of Escalation |
Hindus for Human Rights calls on the US, Iran and Israel governments to halt the escalation of violence and instead come to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict between Israel and Iran. We condemn the Trump administration for its decision to strike Iran, a choice that, as our statement reads, “is a repetition of failed patterns, dressed in the language of deterrence and moral authority.”
“As people of conscience, committed to the Hindu values of ahimsa (nonviolence), justice, and interdependence, we reject(...) the notion that war is a pathway to justice, or that the language of human rights can be used to justify invasions,” our statement continues here. |
Ria Chakrabarty Testifies Before Congress on Transnational Repression |
Transnational Repression represents authoritarian tactics (such as surveillance, threats, online harassment, and more) to silence people across borders. This past Tuesday, HfHR’s own senior policy director, Ria Chakrabarty testified before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in the US Congress on this issue.
“India must now be counted among the world’s leading perpetrators of transnational repression,” she testified. “The Hindu nationalist government has expanded its authoritarian playbook beyond its borders—harassing, intimidating, and surveilling critics abroad, especially in the diaspora.” |
June Baithak for Liberation: |
Celebrating Queerness in Hindu Thought and Practice |
Did you know that Hindu culture, tradition, philosophy, art and literature has a long, colorful history of queerness and inclusivity? That is what our June Baithak was about, in honor of Pride Month! Now, you must be thinking: I am heartbroken that I missed that. But do not fret, we thought ahead and have a recording just for you! |
The Path Forward is Together with Sunita Viswanath |
Our Executive Director, Sunita Viswanath recently joined host Jeanne Lewis for a special episode of Wrestling Out Loud: Faith and Liberation! |
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This past Saturday, we collaborated with DC Sabha and KhushDC for Queer Sabha, an inclusive celebration of queerness and fluidity. After a shared dinner, we enjoyed performances from local DC artists including Bhargavi Thakur and Dr. Rizwan Jagani. The feature performance was by the one and only Ben Parag, whose beautiful voice was accompanied by Anirudh Alva Changkoti, on the tabla, and Pranav Shikarpur, on the flute!
“These performances were much more than just songs for us. They represented and celebrated our shared childhood, faith, culture, humanity, values and, of course, queerness,” our blog post about the event reads. |
Our Student Annual Art and Essay Contest is back! |
And for the very first time ever, we have opened it up to college students as well as high-schoolers! This year’s theme discusses the history of Indian art as a vessel of resistance against crushing oppression from colonization, caste, gender and other powers. How do you see this revolutionary spirit alive today? Become part of this inspiring history and submit your piece before August 20th! |
Philly Meetup: Join Hindus for Human Rights’ Philadelphia chapter for their next meeting on July 12th! They will be discussing the chapter’s current initiatives and planning upcoming ones! RSVP and learn more here. |
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We are so excited to introduce Mayank Dev Kumar, who is joining us as a Community Engagement and Education Fellow! Born and raised in India, Mayank is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School with an MTS in Religion, Ethics, Politics. He has worked in human rights advocacy spaces spanning Washington D.C. to the West Bank and is passionate about the role religion can play in politics, peace, justice and human rights! |
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"Hi everyone! My name is Eli Liedtka, and I’m from just outside of Philadelphia. I’m a rising junior at Wesleyan University majoring in History and Political Science with a minor in International Relations. As the policy intern at HfHR, I’ve been working on projects such as the monthly congressional newsletter and the Islamophobia explainer. Outside of work and school, I’m a member of my college’s track and field team, and I love to be outside, read, and listen to music!"
"Hi! My name is Anu and I am a rising senior at the University of Michigan, born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan! I am majoring in Philosophy and Creative Writing & Literature with a minor in Economics and plan to attend law school in the future. As a communications intern at HfHR, I have been working on newsletters, Instagram posts, blogs and more! Outside of work, I am part of my school’s newspaper and I love to read, hike and cook!" |
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HfHR ED, Sunita Viswanath, Arrested |
| Earlier this month, HfHR's Executive Director, Sunita Viswanath was arrested alongside several other pro-Palestine protestors at the Maersk headquarters in New York City.
Maersk, a multi-national, multi-billion dollar shipping and supply chain management company, plays a critical role in supplying F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel. Following the protest, Maersk announced its divestment from companies linked to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. |
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On Saturday, June 14th, we co-hosted Phullan da Pul / Phoolon Ka Pul, (which translates to Bridge of Flowers), alongside the Sikh Coalition. Despite the rain and the cloudy skies, the outdoor event was a huge success.
The South Queens Women’s March graciously prepared and distributed food packages, while SAKHI for South Asian Women offered resources and support materials. City leaders Orlando Torres (New York City Commission on Human Rights) and Erica Ware (Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes) shared training and insights. |
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HfHR UK Works to Repair Religious Divide in UK |
| Our UK Director, Rajiv Sinha, continues the fight for Palestine and Progressive Hinduism, this time in Leicester. "Many people were eager to connect with us, saying they had never heard a pro-Palestine, anti-Hindutva message from a Hindu. (...) I It will take time and effort to work through this, but we are committed to doing so," he reflects. |
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On Thursday June 5th, hundreds of people made their way to Sinners and Saints, for the first ever, DC Desi Drag Night. HfHR is proud to have cosponsored this event alongside KhushDC, Muslims for Progressive Values, and the Caribbean Equality Project. “Desi drag night represented a beacon of hope, light, joy, laughter, and all things fabulous,” our blog reads. |
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Extermination and Expansion : Is Israel’s Genocidal War On Gaza the Beginning of the End Zionism? |
| In an article written by our own cofounder, Raju Rajagopal, he talks about Israel's genocidal war against Gaza.
With quotes from a diverse range of intellectuals, activists and leaders, he constructs an in-depth discussion of the motivations behind the war and people on either side of it. |
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'A Pattern of Calculated Cruelty' |
| Hindus for Human Rights, as well as our UK, Australia and New Zealand chapters, are proud to be signatories condemning the violence perpetrated by police and state forces in Chhattisgarh.
The statement read in part, “These actions amount to war crimes, perpetrated by official forces under institutional authority, with a complete awareness of their illegality.” It is important, now more than ever, to confront this violence before the conflict escalates further. |
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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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