May 2022 Newsletter: HfHR Springs Into Action!
June 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 May revealed to us some grave realities of our existence--shootings, lynchings and murders--where hate metamorphosed into an extreme form of violence due to patriarchy, caste, religion, etc., costing lives. As we mourn the lives of those lost, we should also realize that the quest for justice is difficult as those committing the crimes are often the same who dominate the most powerful institutions. The above verses ruminate on the same, and help us strive to ensure justice by raising our voices against those in positions of power.


It is in this spirit that, over the past month, we have sprung into action, continuing our advocacy for pluralism, civil rights, and human rights for all in a number of fields—including some powerful in-person events. Read on to learn more!

Fighting against Hindutva
HfHR, along with its partners, organized a special Congressional Briefing on India's appalling decline in press freedom and draconian crackdown on free speech in light of the latest report from Reporters Without Borders, which found that India had fallen to 150th place in the world for press freedom.

A Congressional Briefing on India’s Crackdown On Free Speech with experts from Reporters Sans Frontières and other veteran journalists 
In addition, we also had some powerful articles published by our very own Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator, Pranay Somayajula. Check them out below! 
Standing strong with the  Adivasi and Dalit communities

Alongside our friends at Survival International and Indian American Muslim Council, HfHR held a #SaveHasdeo protest outside the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. to raise our voices against the Modi government's plans to construct a coal mine on Adivasi land in Chhattisgarh, India.


A Special Congressional Briefing on Human Rights Violations Against India’s Indigenous Peoples
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Dalit Panthers' founding and 97th birth anniversary of Malcolm X, we co-sponsored a powerful conversation on May 19  between Dalit Panther Movement co-founder J.V. Pawar and renowned scholar-activist Dr. Cornel West on the history and legacies of Black-Dalit revolutionary solidarity.

JV Pawar and Cornel West: 50 years of Dalit Panthers | 97th Birth Anniversary, Malcolm X
Chapter Updates

The efforts of HfHR's Australia-New Zealand chapter led to multiple universities and corporations disaffiliating from an event that had invited far-right, Islamophobic BJP politician Tejasvi Surya as a speaker. Together, we are winning in the fight to expose Hindutva across the globe!
HfHR Australia-New Zealand member Shanti Raman also appeared on ABC TV's new show, India Today, representing HfHR!
HfHR Meet-ups and Visibility at Events

HfHR staff met with Congressman Andy Levin in Washington for dinner and a powerful conversation where we discussed our shared commitment to defending democracy, pluralism, and human rights in India and the US. 
HfHR staff also attended Indian American Impact's annual summit and gala on May 18, where we heard from amazing speakers and made some new friends—including New Jersey State Assemblywoman Sadaf Jaffer and Richa Moorjani of Never Have I Ever fame!
Watch the latest from HfHR and our friends at PAIGAM
As the news is filled with reports of Hindus and Muslims fighting over mosques and temples, this interfaith iftar by street vendors at Delhi’s Jama Masjid provides a powerful counter-narrative to communal hate.
This episode of #VoicesOfPeace highlights a powerful interfaith iftar hosted by Maharashtra workers and Khudai Khidmatgar in the name of harmony.

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

Please Join Us

We would love to hear from you! Write to us. Volunteer. Start a chapter. Hold a birthday fundraiser and raise both awareness and money! And please consider a donation to HfHR to help us grow our work and impact.

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