SACRED MOBILIZES 22 ORGANIZATIONS AND 65 LEADERS TO EXPOSE EXTREMIST IN CHICAGO

From our friends at SACRED (South Asian American Coalition to Renew Democracy) (SacredDemocracy.org).

Fri, Apr 25, 2025

SACRED MOBILIZES 23 ORGANIZATIONS AND 65 LEADERS TO EXPOSE EXTREMIST IN CHICAGO

Dear friends, 

Your swift and powerful response to our call for action regarding Sadhvi Rithambara's scheduled appearance at the Hanuman Temple of Greater Chicago has demonstrated the incredible strength of our collective voice.

Within a matter of days, we mobilized an unprecedented coalition of 24 organizations and 65 community leaders to stand against hate and extremism as articulated in our collective statement: 

Hate speech has no home in a house of worship

"Sadhvi Rithambara is widely known for spreading inflammatory and dangerous rhetoric as a leader in India’s Hindu supremacist movement. In recent years multiple institutions have rescinded invitations for her to speak in the U.S. and U.K.

Hate has no home in Illinois. At a time when marginalized communities -- including faith communities -- are experiencing increased threats and violence, we must all do our part to protect one another.

In the spirit of faith, nonviolence, equality and secular democracy, we ask the Hanuman Temple of Greater Chicago to embrace its values and choose another speaker."

The organizations that joined us in this statement are: Al Hub Chicago, Anticaste Policy Forum, Apna Ghar, Inc., Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Council on American Islamic Relations-Chicago, Chicago Coalition for Human Rights in India, Chicago United Solidarity Project (CUSP), Dalit Solidarity Forum, Dear Asian Youth, Glenbrook Muslim Civic Association, Hindus for Human Rights, Indian American Muslim Council, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Muslim Civic Coalition, No Hindutva Maryland, SACRED, The Jasmine Collective, The Religious Nationalism Project (TRNP), The Simple Good, and Umeed-Hope.

We are disappointed to report that the Temple proceeded with platforming an individual with a history of inciting violence and sowing division between communities. Equally alarming is the fact that hundreds attended and applauded her remarks. 

Our advocacy yielded results: despite receiving invitations, no local leaders attended the event, a clear acknowledgment of our concerns.

Despite this, Rithambara celebrated acts of violence and destruction  – such as the destruction of Babri Masjid – and was met with audience approval.  All of this demonstrates why SACRED will continue to stand up for our multifaith democracy, nonviolence, equality and justice.

Significantly, our coalition also successfully raised this crucial issue into more visible public discourse. On April 18, 2025, the Chicago Sun-Times published a compelling commentary by columnist Rummana Hussain ("I wouldn't roll out welcome mat for this Brown woman"), which was then highlighted as a “Must Read Commentary” in their weekly compilation. This represents a significant breakthrough in raising public consciousness about supremacist politics’ corrosive effects on our communities and secular democracy writ large.

The work of defending our democracy goes on. Stay tuned for upcoming programming in early summer, where we will continue our vital work of dismantling harmful narratives and building a more inclusive democracy. We are honored to be in community with each of you who raised your voice against hatred and violence. Your commitment to this cause strengthens our resolve.

In solidarity, 

SACRED

MORE RESOURCES ON THIS TOPIC

Hindus for Human Rights Press Statement - “HfHR calls on Hanuman Temple of Greater Chicago to cancel event with Sadhvi Ritambhara”
Georgetown University's Bridge Initiative - Factsheet on Sadhvi Rithambara

The Nation - "Hindu Nationalism’s Alarming Rise in the US Goes Beyond Texas"
NorthJersey.com - "Ridgewood church cancels event featuring Hindu nationalist leader amid outcry"

Statement from the Hanuman Mandir in New Mexico:
"Hanumanji is a very loving and inclusive deity - and sometimes people misuse His generosity.
Ms. Ritbhambhara is one of these people - she is renowned for her bigotry and the coarseness of her language. Hanumanji of course is known for the beauty of his language. At the touching moment when He meets Bhagwan Sri Raam and His brother Laxman, he speaks to Sri Raam in poetic and grammatically correct Sanskrit.
His beautiful speech is the first thread of the deep bonds of love between Sri Raam and Hanumanji!
As someone who has helped care for an Hanuman temple for over 25 years, giving a platform to someone so antithetical to Hanumanji’s blessings is a shameful act."

Punya Upadhyaya
Board Member, Neem Karoli Baba Ashram and Taos Hanuman Mandir
Co-Founder, Hindus for Human Rights