A Night of Reflection, Renewal, and Responsibility |
Each year, Maha Shivratri invites millions of Hindus around the globe to gather in prayer, vigil, and meditation on the transformative energy of Lord Shiva. This week, the festival of reflection and devotion arrives at a time when the world—along with India and the South Asian diaspora—faces profound challenges.
Against the backdrop of social upheaval, evolving political landscapes, and ongoing human rights struggles, Maha Shivratri offers a profound call to introspection: to destroy what no longer serves us, and to nurture what truly matters for the collective good. |
Black History Beyond February |
As Black History Month comes to a close and we approach Women's History Month, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the legacy and impact of Black history. To know Black history is to begin to understand American history, women's history, revolutionary history, queer history, and so much more. As we leave February behind, we've chosen to highlight some of our favorite influential Black texts as a way of inspiring ongoing learning all year long. |
February Liberation Baithak: |
Swami Vivekananda’s Complex Legacy |
This past Saturday marked the beginning of our Baithaks for Liberation series, in which we incorporate elements of traditional Baithaks (a social gathering) while hosting conversations on Liberatory Hinduism. In our very first webinar, we brought together an engaging panel of guest speakers to explore the life and legacies of the renowned 19th-century Hindu philosopher Swami Vivekananda. Our panelists unpacked his influence on Hindu thought, social justice, and the ways his legacy has been interpreted—both for liberation and for exclusion.
|
Day of Remembrance Solidarity Statement |
February 19th marked the National Day of Remembrance of the issuing of Executive Order 9066, which led to the forced removal and incarceration of over 125,000 Japanese Americans during World War II by the United States government. On the 83rd anniversary of EO 9066, and in the midst of relentless attacks on immigrant communities, Hindus for Human Rights recommits ourselves to community care and solidarity. |
Remembering Gujarat 2002: |
How Do Tragedies of the Past Shape India's Present? |
On February 27, 2002, a fire aboard the Sabarmati Express in Godhra claimed the lives of Hindu pilgrims, setting off one of the most painful and devastating chapters in India’s recent history. In the days that followed, Gujarat witnessed widespread, targeted violence against the Muslim community—an atrocity that the Indian state has often labeled as “riots,” but which survivors, activists, and independent observers have rightly recognized as a pogrom.
This anniversary is more than a date on a calendar; it’s a reminder of a crucial turning point in India’s modern political history and a moment to reflect on the urgent need for accountability, reconciliation, and justice. |
Hinduism as an Anti-Caste Religion: |
Lessons from a Rabbi’s Anti-Zionist Stand |
In a recent conversation captured on The Big Picture Podcast, Rabbi Alissa Wise—a former organizer with Jewish Voice for Peace—offered a striking perspective: her Judaism is not only compatible with standing against Israel’s policies in Gaza; it demands it. As the founder of Rabbis for Ceasefire, she and hundreds of other faith leaders have called for an end to the current violence, framing anti-Zionism not as a betrayal of Jewish values, but as a natural extension of them. Her words have sparked an important question: Can a religious tradition itself be the means to dismantle its own oppressive elements? In our blog post, we explore what an anti-caste, progressive Hinduism may look like, and take inspiration from anti-Zionist Jewish movements. |
|
|
Upcoming Event Highlights:
SATURDAY, March 1st, 2025: Trade Union Conference 2025 in London, UK: Join Stand Up To Racism and the TUC for the annual trade union conference dedicated to fighting racism in workplaces and countering the rise of the far right. With the alarming spread of far-right ideologies globally, this year’s conference is more critical than ever. Learn more here.
SATURDAY, March 1st, 2025: Songs of the Women Waikari Poets: This two-hour virtual workshop will explore the songs and poetry of the women Warikari poets. Learn about their lives, historical contexts, and sing a couple of their abhangs together. Learn more here.
WEDNESDAY, March 5th, 2025: Changing the Narrative: Disrupting Disinformation – A Free Online Event for Educators - UK: Join our UK Director Rajiv Sinha alongside a panelist of community-driven advocates for a free online webinar, designed for educators looking to explore effective ways to help students resist disinformation and develop critical thinking skills. Learn more here.
|
|
|
MOOD India: Does Love Have Boundaries? |
|
In our newest MOOD India, we took to the streets to hear what people really think about relationships that cross traditional boundaries. Some say love wins. Others say tradition must hold. What do YOU think? |
|
|
77 Years of Sri Lankan Independence: Reflections on Freedom, Conflict, and Reconciliation |
|
Seventy-seven years ago, on February 4, 1948, Sri Lanka—then Ceylon—stepped into the light of independence, shedding the yoke of British colonial rule. It was a moment of pride, of rebirth, of boundless potential. Yet, the story of Sri Lanka’s independence is not just one of self-rule; it is also a story of struggles over whose freedom was truly secured and whose voices were left unheard. |
|
|
Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency: A Bold, Messy Battle Over Indira Gandhi’s Legacy |
|
Cinema has always held a unique power to explore the lives of those who shape history, reflecting not only their complexities but also the times in which they lived. Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency is an ambitious attempt to capture the life of Indira Gandhi, one of India’s most polarizing figures, yet it is equally a reflection of Ranaut herself—a filmmaker and politician whose public persona is as contentious as the subject she seeks to portray. |
|
|
2024 Freedom of Thought Report |
|
Humanist International recently launched their 2024 Freedom of Thought report, assessing every country in the world on the basis of human rights and legal status for humanists, atheists, and the non-religious. Our Senior Policy Director Ria Chakrabarty uplifts Hindus for Human Rights' work in the report and spoke at their launch event. |
|
|
Become an HfHR Member Today! |
Join Hindus for Human Rights and be part of a vibrant, justice-driven community rooted in progressive Hindu values. As a member, you'll gain access to our exclusive WhatsApp community, affinity groups, weekly community calls, merch discounts, local organizing efforts, and more—offering ways to connect, collaborate, and make a difference.
Join today! |
|
|
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.
Let us know what you think of our monthly recap! If you have ideas for news items you want to see included, or suggestions for action items or articles to highlight, let us know with the button below. |
|
|
If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please Unsubscribe Hindus For Human Rights
300 Paseo De Peralta
Suite 107
Santa Fe, NM 87501
United States (Unsubscribing is not supported in previews)
|
|
|
|
