Mar 2022 Newsletter: Watch Ulti Pulti Baat, read about our Selma march, and more!

April 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 month of March was filled with festivals such as Holi and Nowruz and days such as International Women's Day, which inspired us to create unique events. As a tribute to women this month, we share a beautiful poem by a woman Dalit poet who uses the story of Shabari from the Ramayana to frame her call to protest. As a Dalit woman, Bansode is privy to the disenfranchisements faced by her peers: patriarchy, caste hierarchy and poverty. Using the personal to harness the political in a succinct but powerful way, she accuses Shabari of not doing more for society (Meera Kumar).

Over the past month, we've continued our advocacy for pluralism, civil rights, and human rights for all in a number of fields. Read on to learn more!

Fighting against Hindutva

HfHR co-sponsored a Congressional Briefing on the Indian judiciary's role in the persecution of minorities. Speakers discussed the Indian courts' response to cases concerning Muslims, Christians, Dalits, and Adivasis, as well as human rights defenders such as in the Bhima Koregaon case.

A Congressional Briefing on “Indian Judiciary and the Persecution of Minorities”

HfHR Advocacy Director Nikhil Mandalaparthy spoke with Dr. Michael Reid Trice of the Center for Ecumenical & Interreligious Engagement at Seattle University on the Center's Religica podcast, where they discussed creative responses to rising Hindu nationalism.

Listen to the podcast here!

In the most recent episode of the #VoicesOfPeace series, HfHR and PAIGAM spoke with Tushar Gandhi—great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi—about the government’s plans for the corporate redevelopment of Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram.

Tushar Gandhi Speaks About Sabarmati Ashram Redevelopment

HfHR @Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee

57 years ago, a multi-racial coalition of civil rights activists, led by a 25-year-old John Lewis, attempted to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama as part of a demonstration in support of voting rights for Black Americans. This group of over 600 people was brutally attacked by Alabama state troopers, and the shocking media footage from that day, known as “Bloody Sunday,” spurred a new phase for the civil rights movement.

For decades, civil rights activists have honored the events of Bloody Sunday by organizing an annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee. Last year, HfHR served on the organizing committee for the virtual Jubilee.

This year, we organized the first-ever Indian-American Delegation to the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee.

Our group was a multi-faith, multi-caste “rainbow coalition,” comprised of Hindus for Human Rights, Dalit Solidarity Forum, Indian American Muslim Council, and India Civil Watch International.

HfHR Advisory Board Member Rajmohan Gandhi in Conversation with Rev. James Lawson (The Drama of Nonviolent Action)

Sunita Viswanath at the Selma Sanctuary at the meeting of the Poor People's Campaign Mar 4, 2022

Celebrating International Women's Day & Women's History Month

As the world comes together to honor #InternationalWomensDay, this episode of #VoicesOfPeace highlights the ongoing violence against women that hinders India's progress towards true gender equality.

We celebrated Women's History Month by highlighting women throughout Indian history who have stood up for liberation and social justice. Click the images below to learn more!

HfHR Board Member Akriti Bhatia spoke at our Congressional Briefing on the "Impact of Religious Persecution on Women in India". Watch the full video here:

BJP, RSS are fundamentally Brahmanical and Patriarchal: Akriti Bhatia of Jan Ki Baat and HfHR Board Member

Holi Against Hindutva

On Friday, March 18, we revived the #HoliAgainstHindutva campaign with our special webinar event, hosted by HfHR, SAHI, and Sadhana. The webinar featured student activists from around the world who spoke about the history of student activism and resistance against Hindutva ideology!

HfHR, SAHI, and Sadhana Present: Holi Against Hindutva 2022

Ulti Pulti Baat

HfHR and PAIGAM are proud to announce the first episode in the #UltiPultiBaat series of short video messages aimed at debunking popular myths and fake news. Watch the first episode, which tackles the population growth myth and read HfHR Co-founder Raju Rajagopal's explainer regarding the same:

UltiPultiBaat Episode 1: Debunking the Population Growth Myth

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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