Jan 2022 Newsletter: Speaking up against Genocidal calls, Reflecting on a Pluralistic Constitution and more!

February 1, 2022

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.

Dear Friend,

The first month of this year has been very fulfilling (and very busy!) for us here at HfHR, with a wide variety of events, initiatives, and media campaigns. In the wake of genocidal calls at the Hindu Dharma Sansad in Haridwar, these verses from Balkrishna Sama, a Nepali poet, resonate more than ever as they reflect the most cherished progressive values of our faith—the belief that divinity is inherent in every person.

This month, we've continued with renewed vigor our advocacy for pluralism, civil rights, and human rights for all. Read on to learn more!

Fighting against Hindutva

From the very inception of Hindus for Human Rights, we have considered it an important part of our mission to engage with our supporters as well as with our detractors. In 2022, we will continue the difficult conversations on how to end hate and violence!

Let's start difficult conversations!

On Jan 8th, Indian Diaspora Washington DC Metro organized an event “The Conflict: Hinduism versus Hindutva” to address the Hindutva hate-conclave in Haridwar and the rising anti-Christian attacks by Hindutva adherents during the Christmas season. HfHR co-founder Sunita Viswanath was part of the panel along with Prof. Apoorvanand and Prof. Rambachan.

Indian Diaspora Washington DC Metro Presents: "The Conflict: Hinduism vs Hindutva"

HfHR Advocacy Director Nikhil Mandalaparthy participated in this important Salaamedia discussion titled "Impunity drives expanding Hindu nationalist violence, in light of the ongoing extremism in India" about escalating Hindutva hatred and violence in India .

Impunity Drivers Expanding Hindu Nationalist Violence

HfHR co-organized a Congressional briefing on recent calls by Hindu extremists for a genocide of Muslims in India. Panel of experts included Amnesty International USA specialist Govind Acharya, Genocide Watch president Gregory Stanton, Indian Supreme Court lawyer Anas Tanwir, and our very own Executive Director Sunita Viswanath, described the clear and present danger to India’s 200 million Muslims after open calls to commit a genocide of at least two million Indian Muslims was given at a Hindu religious gathering in December 2021.

Congressional Briefing on Hindu Extremists’ Call for Genocide of Muslims

Diaspora groups from across the world including HfHR created a Twitter storm on January 8 with the hashtag #StopIndianMuslimGenocide to highlight the issue. This international pressure helped in the arrest of Yati Narsinghanand. And HfHR co-founder Raju Rajagopal wrote an article about Swarajya magazine’s dangerous double-speak on the Haridwar conclave where the editor criticized the Hindu leaders at the Haridwar conclave for their open calls for violence but on the other hand said "Hinduism does not advocate ahimsa in all situations."

Further, HfHR Board member Swati wrote a reflection piece on the Bulli Bai and Sulli Deals apps, which targeted prominent Indian Muslim women journalists and activists.

HfHR co-founder Raju Rajagopal and HfHR Advocacy Director Nikhil Mandalaparthy wrote a timely article on about how Facebook's nexus with the Modi government is damaging Indian democracy in South Asian Voices.

Anti-Caste Initiatives

While countless activists, journalists, academics, including Varavara Rao, Anand Teltumbde, Rona Wilson, Shoma Sen and others, who were not even remotely connected with the Bhima Koregaon violence, continue to be slammed with sedition and other false charges by the Indian government, the history behind this protest remains largely unknown and untouched in the mainstream media narrative. Catch our explainer and video tracing the historical significance of Bhima Koregaon, and the battle in which Dalits came out ahead.

What January 1 means to the Dalit Community...

Following California State University's historic implementation of caste protections, a backlash erupted from Hindu nationalists, who tried (and failed) to undo the policy. On January 20, HfHR wrote to the CSU Board of Trustees expressing our support for the measures.

Read our Letter

In her blog, "Let us keep the lamp of revolution lit by Krantijyoti Savitribai alive!," HfHR volunteer Swathi wrote about Savitribai's contributions to the caste and feminist movements, as a commemoration on her 191st birth anniversary.

Petition to stop the destruction of Sabarmati Ashram

Since 1917, the Sabarmati Ashram has stood for values espoused by Gandhiji. One of the most important among them is humility. Gandhiji noted that there is enough for everyone's need but not for everyone's greed.

Recently a Rs. 1200 Crore project has been planned to convert an openly accessible ashram into a commercialized tourist plaza with food courts, business centres and lavish complexes. In India's traditional culture, an ashram is meant to be a place for reflection and rest. It is meant to be a space where the soul is nourished—not a cash-grabbing commercial site. Today's Sabarmati Ashram preserves the values for which Gandhiji stood—values which are under attack by this corporate plan. More importantly, it provides people with an experience of peace and nonviolence, which makes it unique the world over. So far, over 2500 people have signed our petition demanding that this sanctuary be preserved—help us reach 5000!

Sign the Petition

Interfaith Initiatives

On Jan 8, our friends at Khudai Khidmatgar-India held their annual Harmony Gathering in Chennai, in which over 240 people came together to celebrate peace and communal harmony. HfHR Executive Director Sunita shared her reflections at the event.

HfHR Executive Director Sunita Viswanath's Message for 1/8/2022 Harmony Gathering

HfHR Advocacy Director Nikhil Mandalaparthy wrote a blog on religion's role in society for Aspen Institute. "What if those of us fighting Christian nationalism, for example, had the opportunity to learn from groups pushing back against Hindu nationalism, and vice versa?"

Lohri/Sankranti/Pongal/Uttarayan Celebrations

HfHR celebrated the diverse harvest festivals by releasing a video and an article. HfHR in collaboration with Paigam released a Lohri video saluting the courage of farmers who began with burning copies of the farm laws and came back home victorious, and wishing them prosperous new beginnings & a bountiful harvest season!

HfHR and PAIGAM present: Happy Lohri 2022!

HfHR cofounder Raju Rajagopal wrote a blog on his reflections on communal harmony and Pongal celebrations during a 2019 visit to Chennai.

Republic Day Celebrations

HfHR celebrated the Republic Day of India by organizing two key events. HfHR and Dalit Solidarity Forum cohosted a special Republic Day webinar, "The Republic of India at 72: Are we living up to our Constitution?" The panel included grassroots community leaders from India and the US, reflecting on India's Constitution on its 72nd anniversary.

The Republic of India at 72: Are we living up to our Constitution?

In addition to the webinar HfHR also organized a Special Congressional Briefing on the "Protecting India's Pluralistic Constitution". Speakers included Former Vice President of India Mohammed Hamid Ansari, Former President of Mauritius Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, US Senator Ed Markey, US Representative Jamie Raskin US Representative Jim McGovern, US Representative Andy Levin, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Chair Nadine Maenza and several other human rights activists.

Protecting India's Pluralist Constitution

Following an Islamophobic smear campaign against our friends at the Indian American Muslim Council, who co-hosted the Special Congressional Briefing, HfHR put together a solidarity statement with signatures from over 70 global organizations and prominent individuals. Read the statement:

HfHR and our friends at PAIGAM also released a special VoicesOf Peace series video, featuring powerful reflections on India's Republic and Constitution by Indians from all walks of life—from a schoolgirl in Kerala to the former Vice President himself.

Voices Of Peace: Indians From all Walks of Life Reflect on the Constitution

We're hiring a Policy Director! If you're passionate about human rights and religious freedom issues in South Asia, we want to hear from you—click the image above to learn more.

We invite and encourage applications from underrepresented groups in the advocacy space: women, LGBTQ+ people, disabled people, and those from caste-oppressed communities.

'Voices of Peace' from the ground

India is a nation full of diverse cultures and religions. This young Indian's appeal to people to live peacefully with each other and not to fight amongst themselves by mindlessly agreeing with the politicians who spread hate is commendable!

Voices Of Peace: A Call for Pluralism and Harmony in India

Over a month since the #HaridwarHateAssembly many Hindu spiritual leaders have been silent about the genocidal hate speeches uttered at this gathering. In this episode, HfHR and Paigam went directly to #Haridwar to ask ordinary people what they think of the event. Watch:

Voices Of Peace: Everyday People Respond to the Haridwar Hate Assembly

Other initiatives

HfHR co-founder Sunita Viswanath spoke at the online service organized by Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church’s on MLK Day.

HfHR Executive Director Sunita Viswanath Remarks for MLK Day 2022

Oregon's state pension fund is the largest indirect investor in the Israeli NSO Group, whose Pegasus spyware has been used by authoritarian regimes in India, Israel, and around the world to illegally spy on citizens. Sign our petition to demand that Oregon divest from the NSO Group and stop funding repression with public dollars!

Sign the Petition

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It's been a busy month, to say the least! We want to keep the intensity of this enthusiasm and passion going forward. Your support energizes us to build a bold and radically inclusive Hindu public voice which opposes Hindutva and caste, and prioritizes the rights of marginalized communities.

Once again, thank you for your continuous support and well-wishes!

With our love, gratitude and solidarity,

HfHR Board and Staff
Bidisha, Deepak, Nikhil, Pranay, Punya, Raju, Sravya, Sunil, Sunita, Swati, Swathi, Urmila, Vijay

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