January 1, 2020
Namaste Dear Friend,
Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) is a U.S. based non-profit recently formed with the mission of upholding the ideals of multi-religious pluralism in the United States, India, and beyond. We advocate for shanti (peace), nyaya (justice) and the manavtha (human rights) of all communities from a Hindu perspective. Our Vision is lokasamgraha (universal common good) -- a world where there is peace among all people, and our planet is honored and protected.
Our Team:
We were founded just six months ago by six progressive Hindus whose Hinduism is inclusive and based in love: Deepak Gupta (NJ), Sapthagiri Iyengar (India), Raju Rajagopal (CA), Sunil, Sakhalkar (NM), Punya Upadhyaya (NM), Sunita Viswanath (NYC). We are deeply honored that the following eminent resisters of hatred of bigotry have joined our Advisory Board: Dr. Rajmohan Gandhi, T.M. Krishna, Faisal Khan, Dr. Linda Hess and K.P Ramanunni.
Our Priorities:
Our immediate priority is to counter the unprecedented campaign of hate and violence that is being waged against India’s minorities, activists and the media, often in the name of Hinduism.
We do so by offering a platform for progressive voices that are being increasingly marginalized both in India and the United States, and by amplifying the work of those in India who are risking their own well-being to safe-guard civil liberties and minority rights.
We also do so by informing elected officials and people’s movements in the United States about the situation in India and by speaking out against the spread of right-wing ideologies in the diaspora.
While India is our immediate priority, we also call out violations of human rights in other countries (e.g. U.S. actions at the Southern Border) and we stand up for the rights of Hindu minorities in other countries.
You don’t have to be a Hindu to support our cause. After all, no fight for human rights has ever been won without the strength in numbers and the strength of diversity. However, it is also critical that we show people that there is Hindu resistance to Hindutva, which is a right-wing, ethno-nationalist, xenophobic, and bigoted ideology.
Our Accomplishments:
Here is just a sampling of our work since June 2019 when we were formed:
Hindus for Human Rights, along with Indian American Muslim Council, Black Lives Matter (NYC chapter), Jewish Voices for Peace, and other human rights advocates, organized a protest against the Modi-Trump rally in Houston, as well as organized United Nations protests against Modi’s human rights abuses
Hindus for Human Rights has been raising our voice about human rights in Kashmir ever since the lockdown of Kashmir by the Indian government on August 5th. We have participated in protests, have shared voices of activists who have visited Kashmir on fact-finding missions, and have attended and participated in briefings on Capitol Hill related to Kashmir. We have also been met with elected officials along with Kashmiri advocates, adding a Hindu voice to these meetings.
Hindus for Human Rights has been engaged in advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC, to engage US elected officials on human rights in India, particularly related to the August 5th lockdown of Kashmir. We have co-sponsored and organized several briefings, and have met with Reps Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez. Hindus for Human Rights has done extensive media advocacy and writing:
Resources: We have written several pieces in news outlets including The Hindu newspaper, TheWire.in and Scroll.in.
Press: We have also been quoted and/or covered in many news outlets.
Blog: Our cofounders have been writing regular blog posts which address current human rights issues with our perspective as progressive Hindus.
Hindus for Human Rights co-sponsored (along with the Institute for South Asia Studies, Sarah Kailath Chair of India Studies, and the Indian American Muslim Council’s Washington DC chapter) speaking events featuring Gandhi-inspired human rights advocates Rajmohan Gandhi (pictured here speaking at Georgetown University) and David Barunkumar Thomas to commemorate the 150th birthday of Gandhi and to raise awareness of human rights in India.
Hindus for Human Rights has also been adding our voice to the incredible protests taking place across India in response to the disturbing CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and NRC (National Register of Citizens. Our India-based member Giri Iyengar (pictured here at a protest of CAA/NRC in Jantar Mantar, Delhi) has participated in many protests and is actively working with India's leading social justice activists.
What YOU can do to support our work defending human rights:
Our plans in the coming year are to further develop our Advisory Board, increase our capacity to hire a staff person in Washington DC, and to change the narrative — to ensure that an inclusive and progressive Hindu voice is a part of all discussions on India. But none of this is possible without your support. Please:
Engage with us on social media — Facebook or Twitter. Please follow us, and share, like, and comment whenever you can.
Check out our website — regularly!
And most importantly, we request you to include us in your end of year giving.
We would welcome generous donations which will enable us to build a robust Hindu resistance to Hindutva. Please consider:
$50 or more for annual membership
$500 or more: Hindus for Human Rights Sustainer
$1000 or more: Hindus for Human Rights Protector
$5000 or more: Hindus for Human Rights Champion
There has been an outpouring of supportive messages on email and social media, from India, the United States, and other countries. We really need those who can do so to fund the Hindu movement against Hindutva. Please give as generously as you can. We believe it is absolutely critical that we keep up a Hindu presence in activism on Capitol Hill, continue writing reflections and articles calling for peace, justice and democracy from a Hindu perspective, advocate against violence and bigotry in person and in writing, through dialogue, debate, and protest, and mobilize Hindus of conscience to join our ranks and add their voices.
Please make sure Hindus for Human Rights has the resources to build an inclusive and courageous Hindu platform. The incredible outpouring of protest in cities all across India, the U.S. and the world fills us with inspiration.
We are full of energy and commitment for this work not only to save the Indian secular democracy as we know it, but to save the inclusive spirit of Hinduism itself. Will you join us?
The hour is now!
With wishes and prayers for a new year filled with peace and justice for all,
Deepak, Giri, Raju, Sunil, Punya, Sunita
Co-founders of Hindus for Human Rights
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