Standing Against Religious Nationalisms: A Powerful Weekend of Activism
This past weekend, Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) was proud to be represented at three crucial events across New York City and Long Island, standing shoulder to shoulder with activists, faith leaders, and civil society members in the ongoing fight against religious nationalisms, colonialism, and oppression. Our presence at each event underscored our commitment to advocating for human rights, religious freedom, and the preservation of democratic values worldwide.
Press Conference at the United Nations: "The Scourge of Religious Nationalisms"
On Friday, September 20, at 2 PM, the annual UN General Assembly provided the backdrop for an interfaith press conference at 777 United Nations Plaza, titled "The Scourge of Religious Nationalisms." Speakers from various faith traditions gathered to condemn how governments have distorted religious teachings to fuel supremacist ideologies and empower autocratic regimes. From the spread of Hindu nationalism in India to the rise of Christian nationalism in the U.S., these ideologies have perpetuated violence, emboldened autocrats, and marginalized ethnic and religious minorities.
Our NYC Advocacy Organizer, Nikhil Arur, spoke passionately at the event, addressing the insidious impact of Hindutva, a political ideology that distorts Hinduism into a supremacist framework. Nikhil emphasized the urgency of rejecting all religious nationalisms that sow division and violence. He called for a return to the values of inclusion, pluralism, and peaceful coexistence that lie at the heart of the world's great religious traditions.
Rally in Astoria for Solidarity with Palestine
On Saturday, September 21, HfHR’s Kylie Madhav represented us at a rally held in Astoria, Queens, the most diverse county in the world, was a fitting stage for a gathering dedicated to ending the oppression of the Palestinian people and bringing attention to the ongoing siege on Gaza. This event aligned with UN Peace Week, as leaders from various communities spoke out against colonialism, imperialism, and the genocide of the Palestinian people.
As Kylie so strongly stated, “I march because I know that if tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank can be killed with impunity, before our very eyes, by those who occupy their land, then we are all in immediate danger. In Hinduism, the concept of Vasudeva Kudumbagam teaches us that all humanity is but one family. Our languages, customs and identities are but different manifestations of the paramātman (universal soul) that resides within us all.” After the rally, attendees took to the streets of Astoria to march in support of Palestinian liberation, linking the struggles of oppressed peoples everywhere with the global demand for peace and justice.
Protest of Prime Minister Modi's Rally on Long Island
On Sunday, September 22, HfHR joined more than 300 activists, including members of multiple faith groups, to protest a massive rally held in Long Island in support of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The rally, which drew large crowds of Modi supporters, was part of the Prime Minister's visit to the U.S., and it aimed to celebrate his leadership. However, for many activists and organizations like HfHR, Modi’s tenure represents something far darker: a normalization of Hindutva, a radical form of Hindu nationalism that promotes religious supremacy and has led to increased violence against minorities in India.
HfHR joined more than 300 activists, including members of multiple faith groups, to protest. Our representative and organizing conultant, Rohan Narine, stood with those who denounce Modi’s authoritarian rule and his normalization of Hindutva, a radical form of Hindu nationalism that promotes religious supremacy and has incited violence against minorities in India.
Rohan delivered a powerful message, highlighting how Modi’s tenure has undermined India’s long-standing secular democracy. The protest underscored the growing concerns over India’s slide toward authoritarianism, which not only threatens the subcontinent but also has implications for Indian Americans and South Asian communities globally.
