July 2022 Newsletter: Standing up for Prisoners of Conscience!
August 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,

In the wake of our dear friend Teesta Setalvad's recent arrest, this month of July we have been extensively involved in fighting for prisoners of conscience. We share this powerful poem by Nabiya Khan in reference to the increasing number of political prisoners taken in by the Hindutva government in its coordinated effort to silence free expression and crush dissent. We want this same "fire of revolution" to burn within all of us who believe in the true ideals of humanity and democracy.


It is in this spirit that, over the past month, we have sprung into action, continuing our advocacy for pluralism, civil rights, and human rights for all in a number of fields—including some powerful in-person events. Read on to learn more!

Defending Human Rights
Renowned scholar-activist Dr. Noam Chomsky along with Professor Rajmohan Gandhi, Research Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, released video statements in partnership with HfHR, condemning Umar Khalid's unjust detention by the Indian government.
 Noam Chomsky Statement in Solidarity with Umar Khalid
Rajmohan Gandhi Statement in Solidarity with Umar Khalid
Read more
HfHR joined Open Doors, Indian American Muslim Council, World Evangelical Alliance, Justice for All, and the International Commission for Dalit Rights in submitting a joint stakeholders' report to the UN Human Rights Council ahead of India's fourth Universal Periodic Review.
Read the Report
Hindus for Human Rights stands in unequivocal solidarity with filmmaker Leena Manimekalai in the face of backlash to her most recent film, Kaali. 
Read our Statement
We commemorated the anniversary of Father Stan Swamy's death in custody, through our special event reflecting on his life, legacy, and persecution at the hands of the Indian state, featuring parliamentarians and human rights defenders from across the world.


Press Conference in Solidarity With Teesta Setalvad (Read Full Press Release)
Fight Against Islamophobia

HfHR continued its fight against Hindutva by calling out Islamophobia at various platforms.
At a July 13 Congressional Briefing, we discussed the significance of the remarks by American lawmakers, US Ambassador-At-Large for Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain, and USCIRF Commissioner Nury Turkel, as well as the next steps the US Government should take to check rising Islamophobia in India.
At a July 27 Congressional Briefing,  globally-renowned experts slammed Meta for its failure to acknowledge the severity of hate speech on Facebook in India, especially by Hindu supremacists connected with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
HfHR co-founder and board member Deepak Gupta spoke at the Westchester Coalition Against Islamophobia's Panel on Hindutva in White Plains, NY, where he discussed the urgency and challenges of mobilizing Hindus to join the fight against Hindutva.
Petition in support of the "March for an Untouchability-free India"

From August 1-7, the Dalit Shakti Kendra (DSK), Navsarjan Trust, and Dalit Foundation will be leading a march from Ahmedabad to Delhi to demand an end to casteism and untouchability in India. HfHR started a petition in support of the march:  
Read/Sign our Petition
Youth Initiatives

We are excited to announce the second series of our Ganesha's Tusk podcast, hosted by a 12-year-old Indian American named Samara, which provides a fresh perspective on Hindu epics, history, and mythology! 
Listen to the latest episode!
Watch the latest from HfHR and our friends at PAIGAM
In this episode of Ulti Pulti Baat, we tackle the BJP’s use of bulldozers to silence dissent and enforce their version of justice.
This episode of Ulti Pulti Baat tackles the Kaali film poster controversy and highlights the hypocrisy of the BJP’s outrage over the film.

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, Harita, Nikhil, Pranay, Punya, Raju, Ria, Shanti, Sravya, Sunil, Sunita, Swati, Swathi, Urmila, Vijay

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