Who We Are
Hindus for Human Rights-ANZ is the Australia & New Zealand chapter of Hindus for Human Rights, an advocacy organization headquartered in the United States, that is committed to the ideals of multi-religious pluralism in South Asia, particularly in India, and throughout the Indian diaspora.
Hindus for Human Rights-ANZ was officially launched in March 2021. The need for an HfHR chapter in Australia &New Zealand became urgent when Australia saw a spate of violent attacks by Hindu nationalists on Sikh Australians who were demonstrating in support of Indian farmers. HfHR-ANZ works to build a progressive and inclusive Hindu platform and movement in Australia and New Zealand, one that is opposed to Hindutva and to caste and casteism.
HfHR-ANZ speaks from a Hindu perspective for shanti (peace), nyaya (justice) and the manavtha (human rights) of all communities. Our Vision is lokasangraha (universal common good) - a world where there is peace among all people, and our planet is honored and protected.
Community Engagement
Women’s Day
Hindus for Human Rights attended Mehreen Faruqi’s breakfast on Women’s Day which featured inspiring speakers and attendees across culture and community. The focus was solidarity with Palestinians, peace and climate activism, and indigenous Australian women doing good in their communities.
Hindus for Human Rights was also invited to a Women’s Day meeting hosted by Greens Senator David Shoebridge where women leaders in advocacy and community building came together to share stories and find synergies in our work as progressive voices working towards social justice.
Manipur Solidarity Event
Hindus For Human Rights attended an event in solidarity with the Manipuri people, held in Sydney. The South Asian diaspora at the Liverpool South Anglican Church in Sydney organised a fundraiser and prayer event for the people of Manipur in India on Saturday, 25 November 2023.The ethnic violence in the Indian state of Manipur has affected thousands of people with many lives lost, hundreds injured and tens of thousands displaced from their homes.
Mary Mizo, a member of the Kuki Zo community, which has been hit hard by the violence in the state, spoke about the traumatic experience of her family and community, and the urgent need for humanitarian aid in the shelters and camps.
Members of the Diocese prayed for peace and raised funds for aid agencies providing relief to the people affected by the conflict.
Climate Conscious Iftar
Hindus for Human Rights partnered with the Muslim Collective and Pitt St Uniting Church, along with the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) to host a climate conscious Iftar.
The event recognised that fasting was common across many faith traditions and also that the climate crisis is an issue that affects us all and requires our immediate, collective action. This Iftar aimed to strengthen faith-based relationships. By immersing ourselves in diverse spiritual practices, and by having relational conversations, we can better understand each other and share a well of motivation to act for a safe climate.
Multi-Faith Holi Celebration
Hindus for Human Rights ANZ celebrated Holi with a Difference on March 24, at the Reg Byrne Community Centre, Wentworthville. Event partners were The Humanism Project and WACCI.
The event was a testament to India’s diverse and syncretic culture. Holi is a tribal spring festival, an agrarian harvest festival, a muse to poets and artists, both Hindu and Muslim, a call to display some warrior-like prowess to Sikhs, and even a wonderfully progressive occasion for match-making, where young men and women of the Bhil community, freely choose their partners - just with a playful dab of gulal or colour.
All of this was captured in a specially commissioned Holi film conceptualised by Hindus For Human Rights, Australia, which was unveiled at the event.
Some Event Highlights
Prof. Geoffrey Samuel spoke eloquently on the socio-cultural significance of Holi. There speakers included Julia Finn, Member for Granville, Stephen Bali, State Member for Blacktown, Mark Couré, Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism and Livingston Chettypalli, Blacktown Councillor.
Read Professor Geoffrey’s speech here.
There was also warm Inter-faith participation at the event. Abbas Alvi (ICSOA, WAACI) representing the Muslim community shared a poetic description of the joint celebration of Holi in Urdu. Jess Harrison, Sydney Alliance represent the Jewish community and spoke of coming together to discover each other’s culture and Rev Dr, Josephine Inkpin, Pitt St. Uniting Church represented the Christian community.
In addition, there was a musical interlude by the excellent Sumati Krishnan and John Napier, poet and writer and a member of HfHR, Nandini Sen Mehra presented a piece on the many shades of Holi, and as a finale, members of Sydney Bollywood took the stage for a Holi inspired Bollywood dance performance.
At a time when many forces seek to divide people, we commit to bringing people together, with love and respect for all our diverse cultures and lived experiences, bound by a common humanity.
Palestinian Solidarity
Hindus for Human Rights Australia has regularly participated in the protests and campus encampments against the genocide in Gaza.
Our Multi-Faith Holi Celebration
What We Do
Advocacy
Hindus for Human Rights ANZ undertakes regular briefings with lawmakers, councils and parliamentarians advocating on behalf of the progressive Hindu community.
In 2024, there have been fruitful discussions with Labor Minister for Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs of Australia, Andrew Giles, Liberal MP, Keith Wolahan, Former Senator of NSW, Lee Rhiannon, Senator David Shoebridge and Senator Mehreen Faruqi.
Hindus for Human Rights Australia also conducted a parliamentary briefing in Canberra which was attended by representatives from various officers. The discussions centered around the need for a greater and more empowered representation of moderate and progressive Hindu voices in government consultations with civil society and community leaders, the threat of extremism and hate politics, and ways to build social cohesion.
Hindus for Human Rights also presented to Multicultural Greens Victoria to talk about representation, issues within the Indian diaspora and participative democracy.
Hindus for Human Rights was also included in a discussion and media briefing on the proposed Immigration Amendment Bill that could have a devastating effect on the human rights of asylum seekers and refugees.
HfHR ANZ Briefing with Australian MP Keith Wolahan
Parliamentary Briefing in Canberra
Media Briefing on Proposed Immigration Amendment Bill
Climate Conscious Iftar
Media, Allyship and Partnerships
Hindus for Human Rights regularly updates Australian media on relevant research and findings on human rights and social justice issues as relevant to India and the diaspora. We work closely with select media to present an alternative viewpoint on official announcements, that often do not cover issues that affect the under-represented and the deliberately marginalised.
We also work as allies with various advocacy and faith based groups such as the Jewish Network, the Palestinian Support groups, progressive Muslim groups, and Dalit and Bahujan Community leaders.
Hindus for Human Rights also turned out in force at a film screening of Anand Patwardhan’s film, the World is Family. Read HfHR Australia member, Devleena Ghosh’s Review here.
Hindus for Human Rights joined hands with NRI Affairs, an independent media platform and the Humanism Project to host a gathering in Melbourne with Meenakshi Ganguly, the Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch.
HfHR ANZ at the World is Family Australia premiere.
Holi: An Exploration of Unity in Diversity
Video
Arjun Raina juxtaposes his personal historical context comprising diverse and tolerant Hinduism and the present aggressive emerging identity of Hindutva.
Blog
Frequently Asked Questions
What is your version of ‘Hindu’?
Isn't this just ‘Soft Hindutva’?
Aren’t you perpetuating injustices like the caste system?
What about the persecution of Hindus in some parts of the world?
What is your take on Kashmir and the plight of Pandits?
Aren’t you anti-Hindu?
Why do you stand against Hindus having safety in a national homeland? The Jewish people have Israel, what about us?
Aren’t you unpatriotic in criticizing the India government?
Hasn’t ‘Secularism’ outlived its relevance in India?
Aren’t you anti-India?
