Ria Chakrabarty Named 2026 Vote is Sacred Fellow

Strengthening Democracy Through Pluralism and Faith-Based Leadership

Healthy elections are a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. At their best, elections allow diverse communities to come together in a shared civic task — making their voices heard and participating in the systems that shape our common life.

We are proud to share that Ria Chakrabarty, Senior Policy Director at Hindus for Human Rights, has been named a 2026 Vote is Sacred Fellow.

The Vote is Sacred Fellowship convenes civic and faith leaders from across traditions to promote constructive, pluralistic engagement with U.S. elections. Fellows collaborate across differences in identity and belief, develop strategies to counter disinformation, and support safe, accessible, and nonpartisan participation in the democratic process.

At a moment when public confidence in elections is strained, this work is more vital than ever. Faith communities and civic leaders play an essential role in modeling bridge-building, nonviolence, and shared responsibility.

As Ria reflects:

“We believe that democracy is a deeply held Hindu value – it allows each individual to pursue their choices and celebrates the diversity in our shared humanity.”

For Hindus for Human Rights, democracy is not merely a political system. It is an ethical commitment — one rooted in pluralism, dignity, and the protection of diversity.

Over the course of the fellowship, participants will learn and share pluralism practices, coordinate election engagement efforts at state and national levels, and implement nonpartisan strategies designed to inspire confidence and participation in free and fair elections.

We are deeply proud of Ria’s leadership and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important national effort.