HfHR Statement on the Victory of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
The US election result is reverberating all over the world -- Joe Biden will be the 46th President of the United States and Kamala Harris will be the first woman Vice President in American history. We congratulate President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris!
The American people have condemned racism, sexism, xenophobia, and authoritarianism and have chosen to embrace diversity, science, rule of law, and democracy. The election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris hopefully means not only a return to civility among people and in politics and responsible stewardship of our planet, but also the start of a new age of humane immigration policies and economic policies which benefit the poorest in our country.
The tight races around the country show what we knew all along: we are a divided nation, perhaps even more polarized than we were in 2016. It is imperative that we all take seriously the task of bridging the many divides among us, lest we backslide over the next four years.
May all countries in the world--including India--which are suffering under ethno-nationalist or religious nationalist authoritarian rule be inspired to similarly change course. Our ardent hope is that the citizens of India see the wisdom of turning away from Hindu nationalism and instead honoring the secular democratic values enshrined in the Indian constitution.
In a statement released today, Ken Roth, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch wrote:
"Abroad, even many close allies have lost faith in the United States because of the radical departure from international human rights standards and the institutions for their defense that seems to come with certain administrations. The challenge for President-elect Biden is not simply to adopt a better human rights policy but also to introduce human rights principles as a genuine guide. Only an affirmation and entrenchment of those principles has a chance of persuading allies and adversaries alike that Washington’s commitment to human rights is more than the passing preference of a given president."
Many Indians are celebrating that someone with Indian roots is about to be the Vice President of the United States. The best way that Kamala Harris can honor her Indian and Hindu roots would be to oppose Hindu nationalism and promote policies and positions which favor human rights in India.
Hindus for Human Rights is looking forward to working with the new administration on the issues closest to our heart: addressing the terrible atrocities taking place in India under Hindu nationalist rule, and the growing presence of Hindu nationalism in US politics.
