Category: HinduPACT

HinduPACT Co-Sponsors 2020 Presidential Debate from Hindu Perspective

San Francisco, CA (Sunday, October 18, 2020): A coalition of Hindu American organizations joined hands to conduct a first of its kind debate to discuss issues relevant to the Hindu American community in the upcoming presidential election. On Sunday, October 18, 2020, six Hindu Americans, split evenly between the two presidential candidates, met virtually to debate topics as they related to the Hindu American community in the following three broad areas: domestic policy, foreign policy, and overall party stance. For each of the three areas, the debaters presented positions favoring their candidate as well as opposing the other candidate.

The debaters, all of whom had demonstrated a commitment to the Hindu American community through their activism or spirit, were vocal supporters of the candidate they were representing. The debaters for the Trump side were Jay Kansara, Srilekha Reddy Palle, and Utsav Chakrabarti. The debaters for the Biden side were Nish Acharya, Tushar Dhayagude, and Niki Shah.

In an active and, at times, very passionate debate, the debaters discussed, among many others, sub-topics such as the interactions and commitment of each candidate to the Hindu American community, President Trump’s presence at the Howdy Modi event last September, the Hilal-i-Pakistan award presented to Candidate Biden by the Pakistani government, and the commitment of each candidate to helping Hindu and Sikh persecuted minorities in Afghanistan.

Jay Kansara, who served for nine years as Director of Government Relations at the Hindu American Foundation, spoke in depth about his experience of working with the Trump administration to foster a closer working relationship between the Trump administration and the Hindu American community. “I must say that the Trump administration is far more inclusive of Hindu thought or Hindu perspectives than the alternate, than the Obama-Biden ever was,” said Mr. Kansara.

The other two debaters to represent the Trump side were Srilekha Reddy Palle, the Political Director for the American Hindu Coalition and an active leader in the Trump campaign and in the Republican party, and Utsav Chakrabarti, an active contributor to lawmakers on Capitol Hill and to representatives of the Human Rights Commission at the United Nation.

Nish Acharya, who was appointed by President Obama to be a Senior Advisor to the US Secretary of Commerce and Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and is currently a Senior Fellow with the Center for American Progress, spoke about the similarities between the Democratic party in the US and the Bharatiya Janata Party’s platform in India. “The reality is, I would like to point out, that the BJP agenda in India actually is fairly progressive, in line with the Democratic Party. So when you look at some of Prime Minister Modi’s biggest agenda items…these are all efforts to progressively, economically, and socially empower Indians from the bottom everywhere and connect them to society so they have a chance for success and survival…That is an agenda of progressive economics that we all see on the Biden side,” said Mr. Acharya when questioned about the past relationship between the then Senator Biden and Pakistan as well as the excess foreign aid given to Pakistan under the Obama-Biden administration.

The other two debaters for the Biden side were Niki Shah, a member of the Hindu Americans for Biden and a National Co Chair for South Asians for Biden, and Tushar Dhayagude, an active contributor to the political process by writing opinions and rebuttals.

The debate was moderated by Rakhi Israni, an entrepreneur living in the San Francisco Bay Area. The event was sponsored by the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), the Hindu American Political Action Committee (HAPAC), HinduPACT, HinduVote, and the Coalition of Hindus in North America (CoHNA).

October 18, 2020
AHAD Statement on Kamala Harris Durga Meme

The following statements were issued by American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD) and HinduPACT (initiatives of World Hindu Council of America) on Kamala Harris as Goddess Durga meme:

Statement by Ajay Shah, Executive Vice President, VHPA, Convener AHAD and HinduPACT:

“It seems to us that Sen. Harris, a self-acknowledged non-Hindu has now realized that in the battleground states, the Hindu votes matter. So, Senator Harris is now rapidly discovering her Hindu roots. Welcome home, Senator, you have now moved on from masala dosas and cleverly inserted reference to “chitti” to donning the dress of Goddess Durga. Do you want to know what those who practice Hindu dharma think about this cartoonish portrayal of you as Durga Mata? Before assuming the form of Durga Mata, through your niece, did you bother picking up a book on Hindu Dharma 101 or at least talk to your “chitti?” Hindus are offended, and Hindus are outraged, because you have insulted Hindu Goddess and while you continue to claim to be a non-Hindu, you have the audacity to assume the form of a revered Hindu Goddess during one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals, Navaratri for scoring political points.”

Statement by Utsav Chakrabarty Executive Director, HinduPACT:

“The caricature of Hindu deities wreaks is tokenism that has become a hallmark of Biden-Harris ticket. At best it is cheap and hurtful and at its worst, creates tank Hinduphobia in communities that already have very little knowledge about Hindu Dharma.”

Statement by Rakhi Israni, Executive Director, Legal, HinduPACT

“It’s quite telling that a campaign that won’t even put out an agenda for the Hindu American community when they have done so for other religious communities is misappropriating the religious symbols and pictures of this same community for their own purposes. In other words, it seems that what the Biden/Harris Campaign is saying is don’t ask what we will do for you, but continue giving your all to us. It’s about time Hindu Americans wake up. We can’t afford to be emotionally tied to one party or another lest we are taken for granted.”

October 18, 2020
2020 Presidential Elections Debate on American Hindu Issues

,Read More

October 18, 2020
Presidential Elections – Debate on American Hindu Issues

For the first time ever!

2020 Presidential Election: A Debate on the American Hindu Issues
HinduPACT and HinduVote (initiatives of the World Hindu Council of America), in co-sponsorship with Hindu American Foundation (HAF), Hindu American PAC (HA PAC), CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) is hosting a debate between Hindu Trump and Biden supporters on the issues of importance to American Hindu community in the 2020 Presidential Election.

Join us live on Zoom – the link to register is https://bit.ly/318N6pU.

This is a nonpartisan voter education forum, and the views of the speakers are solely their own and do not represent the views of the sponsoring organizations.

Support HinduPACT – Please donate to HinduPACT

October 18, 2020
HinduPACT Co-Sponsort Kashmir Hindu Balidan Diwas Webinar

See Video: https://www.facebook.com/102597751317020/videos/657184071591675/

HinduPACT co-sponsored a live event Kashmiri Hindu “BALIDAN DIVAS” Webinar (memorial Day) to remember the martyrdom of Kashmiri Hindus who were killed by the terrorists in 1990. The speakers and panelists of the event, “Smriti aur Sankalp – Remembrance & Reaffirmation” included:

Welcome by: Dr. Shakun Malik, President, Kashmiri Overseas Association USA
Moderator: Shri Sanjay Kaul, Vice President, World Hindu Council of America
Panelists:
Dr. Ajay Chrungoo, Chairman, Panun Kashmir
Prof. Ved Nanda, Sanghchalak HSS North America
Shri Sushil Pandit, Founder, Roots in Kashmir (RIK)
Shri Utsav Chakrabarti, Executive Director, Hindu Policy Analysis & Advocacy Collective (HinduPACT)
Smt. Lakshmi Kaul, Founder, Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society (KPCS)
Shri Shambhav Sharma, Creator & Host: The Sham Sharma Show
Sagar Koul, Youth Representative

October 14, 2020
India New England News: A webinar on the eve of Kashmiri Hindu Balidan Divas on September 13
A webinar on the eve of Kashmiri Hindu Balidan Divas on September 13
By
India New England News September 9, 2020
BOSTON–The Kashmiri Hindus will observe September 14 as “BALIDAN DIVAS.” This year will be 31^st observation of this day. The Zoom webinar is organized by PANUN KASHMIR and is titled the “Remembrance & Reaffirmation.”
“We take this opportunity to, remember Kashmiri Hindus and members of Indian Security Forces who have been martyred over the years in protecting the interest of the nation, reaffirm our support to the struggle of Kashmiri Hindus against their genocide and seek a way forward,” organizers said in a statement.
The webinar will be held on Sunday, September 13 at 9:30 AM EST. Here is more information about the panel:
Webinar Date/Time: Sunday, September 13, 9:30 AM E.S.T (7:00 PM Indian time)
Duration: Approximately 90 minutes
Webinar type: Zoom Webinar with live streaming on Facebook, UTube, Twitter and various websites.
Welcome by: Dr. Shakun Malik, President, Kashmiri Overseas Association USA
Moderator: Sanjay Kaul, Vice President, World Hindu Council of America
Panelists:
Dr. Ajay Chrungoo, Chairman, Panun Kashmir
Prof. Ved Nanda, Sanghchalak HSS North America
Shri Sushil Pandit, Founder, Roots in Kashmir (RIK)
Shri Utsav Chakrabarti, Executive Director, Hindu Policy Analysis & Advocacy Collective (HinduPACT)
Smt. Lakshmi Kaul, Founder, Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society (KPCS)
Shri Shambhav Sharma, Creator & Host: The Sham Sharma Show
Sagar Koul, Youth Representative
October 6, 2020
TRT World Interviews Ajay Shah on US Elections

Turkish Public Broadcaster, TRT interviewed Ajay Shah, Convener of HinduPACT on the show Inside America hosted by Ghida Fakhry. The topic of interview was participation of Hindus in the 2020 US Presidential elections. The relevant portion of the interview starts at 15:36 mark in the video

September 16, 2020
HinduPACT Co-Sponsors Remembrance and Resolve Symposium on Kashmir

HinduPACT co-sponsored Panun Kashmir symposium, “Smriti Aur Sankalp” (Remembrance and Resolve) on September 13, 2020, Kashmir Balidan Diwas (Kashmir Sacrifice Day). Utsav Chakrabarti, Executive Director of HinduPACT was part of the symposium panel (starts at 2hr 53min mark in the video)

Remembrance and Resolve Symposium

September 13, 2020
HinduPACT Letter on Hinduphobic Redmond City Council Resolution #1534

On Sept 1, 2020, Redmond, WA City Council Resolution 1534 sought to condemn APPWW (ALLIANCE FOR PERSECUTED PEOPLES WORLD WIDE) for taking up the cause of persecuted minorities around the world. We believe that the sponsor of the resolution singled out APPWW because it’s key members were Hindus and they highlighted the plight of Muslim minorities such as Baloch, Ahamadis etc and other minorities such as Yazdis and Hindus in some Muslim majority countries. HinduPACT wrote to the Redmond City Council members urging them to vote against the resolution and seeking a vote on an amended resolution that broadly condemned all hate. Eventually, the resolution criticizing APPWW failed and amended resolution passed.
HinduPACT letter on Redmond City Council Resolution
Today, Redmond City Council is taking up Resolution #1534 “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDMOND, WASHINGTON, CONDEMNING HATE BY APPWW AND AFFIRMING REDMOND VALUES OF INCLUSION”
Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective USA (HinduPACT USA) urges the Redmond City Council members to reject this resolution because APPWW is singularly committed to defend persecuted minorities around the world:
1. APPWW has taken up the cause of persecuted Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Christian minorities in the Indian subcontinent, especially Pakistan and Afghanistan, which are Islamic countries

2. APPWW taken up the cause of persecuted Muslim minorities, e.g., Baloch, and Ahmadis in Pakistan

3. APPWW has taken the cause of Native Americans
The resolution against APPWW is especially troubling because:
1. The petitioners seek to shut down the voice of a small organization because it is run by a Hindu religious minority that seeks to speak for persecuted Muslims.

2. It is a politically motivated Indiaphobic resolution disguised as Islamophobic resolution because APPWW chose to speak out against persecution of minorities in Pakistan

3. A letter referenced in the resolution touting support from some organizations (https://condemnappww.wordpress.com/2020/07/28/a-public-letter-exposing-appww/) indicates that one of the members of APPWW opposed Congresswoman Illhan Omar and that makes her Islamophobic. Since when is legitimate opposition to any political candidate on any ground considered hate against any particular faith? In our democracy, we retain rights to oppose candidates we do not agree with on any ground, including issues that arise out of practice of faith such as school prayers or abortion without sprouting hate against individuals or their faith by getting signatures from dozens or organization. What is next? Is anyone running against Councilwoman Khan going to be labelled Islamophobe because they have a viewpoint that is dissimilar to hers?
We urge the City Council members to explicitly oppose Hinduphobia and phobias against people of all faiths, in Redmond and around the world. HinduPACT USA, hopes that members of Redmond City Council and many organizations who have signed the letter against APPWW will join hands in opposing the persecution of Islamic minorities in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Kashmiri Hindus who have been victims of terrorism and are now refugees outside Kashmir.

September 1, 2020
HinduPACT Quoted in Sri Lanka Express
No place for Buddhists with Joe Biden’s identity politics?
OPINION
By Hassina Leelarathna
https://www.srilankaexpress.org/dncbuddhist

Comments are welcome. Please write to hassinal@gmail.com
August 23, 2020

The run-up to the U.S. 2020 election is in full swing and so is the game of identity politics.

While Donald Trump and the far right might seem like masters at it, Democrats are not far behind as they woo targeted racial and religious populations. In the process, they’re raising hackles in traditionally Democratic-leaning ethnic communities.

Buddhists are ignored by the right and taken for granted, even cold shouldered, by the left. Some Sikhs and Hindus have their own grievances and are veering right.

Take some of the remarks made by Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in his address to the Million Muslim Votes Summit last month:

“As Hindu American advocacy organization, we at HinduPACT USA believe that just as Vice President Biden has created a special page for Islam and other faiths on his website, he should create a special section for other faiths. So far, he has ignored this demand from the dharmic traditions, which include Hindus, Buddhist, Sikhs and Jains,” says Ajay Shah, Executive VP of the World Hindu Council of America.

Shah sees Biden’s reference to teaching Islam and confessional faiths in schools as troubling as it excludes dharmic faiths.

“If Vice President Biden wants to be the President of all Americans, he should first try to become a presidential candidate who includes all Americans and not pander to any particular faith community. We eagerly look forward to Vice President Biden’s campaign becoming more inclusive towards dharmic traditions.”

Turn now to the Democratic National Convention (DNC). If it’s any consolation to Ajay Shah and others sharing a Hindu American advocacy platform, the virtually-run event last week featured Hindu and Sikh representatives. However, it was at an interfaith service on Sunday, a day before the start of the convention (that ran Aug 17- 20).

Neelima Gonuguntla, an attorney from Texas recited the Shanti Mantra from the Vedas. Sikh and interfaith community leader Pardeep Kaleka of Wisconsin prayed for those who lost their lives and those who are all sick from the pandemic, and called for a more just and compassionate world.

Imam Noman Hussain of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, an Islamic Studies Instructor and founder & CEO of an Islamic school, offered Muslim prayers.

Other faith community leaders at the event:

Rex Lee Jim – of the Diné (Navajo) tribe, a former Vice President of the Navajo Nation
Marin Webster Denning – Milwaukee, Wisconsin: member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin
Bishop William Murphy III – Atlanta, Georgia: Lead Pastor of The dReam Center Church of Atlanta
Bishop Samuel Green – Columbia, South Carolina: African Methodist Episcopal Church

In addition, there were confessional- faith blessings throughout the week of the convention. On Thursday, the final day, as the Washington Post framed it, “Reflecting Democrats’ interest in interfaith engagement” four faith leaders from three religious traditions were featured:

Rabbi Lauren Berkun, vice president of the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America.
Sister Simone Campbell, executive director of the advocacy group NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice
Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and editor at large of the Jesuit magazine America;
Imam Al-Hajj Talib ’Abdur-Rashid, a Muslim social justice activist who leads the New York-based Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood.
Biden’s unspoken message to Buddhists during the weeklong pageant celebrating the nation’s “collective strength and diversity:” blessings not needed.

Given an estimated 4 million American Buddhists, about 66 percent of whom lean liberal and vote Democratic, the snub is quite noteworthy, eliciting the following responses.

“If they [Democratic National Convention] had only one prayer, I think it appropriate that they asked a Christian minister to recite the prayer, since Christianity is the majority religion of the country, and the minister’s short prayer was not especially sectarian, apart from the mention of “the matchless name of Jesus” at the end. But if they had a variety of clergy, they should certainly have included a Buddhist representative,” said Ven. Bhikku Bodhi, well-known American (Theravada) scholar-monk in response to my request for his views.

Ven. Walpola Piyananda, Chief Incumbent of the Los Angeles Buddhist Vihara, who has a large following of American Buddhist practitioners said it was “troubling that Buddhists are continuously overlooked by American political leaders.”

As an example, Ven. Piyananda points out that The Hindu Diwali festival is celebrated both at the White House and the State Department, so is the Muslim Ramadan festival,” adding that it’s the right thing to do to make ethnic minorities feel welcome. He has been trying for a long time without success to have Washington give Buddhists the same nod. “I have written several letters on the subject, including to Sec. of State John Kerry. Never received a response.”

However, Ven. Piyananda is not giving up. “Going forward, Buddhists must unite and make our voices heard. Doing nothing is not an option.”

Mark Zuckerman of San Francisco, who describes himself as a “life-long Democrat and engaged meditator, a skill learned at Buddhist Temples,” noted the DNC’s “loud silence of faith leaders who speak to the American experience out of a Buddhist perspective.” While his primary faith background is Jewish, Zuckerman says his exposure to Buddhism has enriched him with “a message that blends beautifully into the community of beliefs contributing to the enhancement of our national motto: one from many, E Pluribus Unum.”

With its emphasis on peaceful and nonviolent behaviors, he sees Buddhism as a positive force in crucial policy areas such as climate change. “The Democratic Party should overtly recognize these communities of faith and urge them to join in at this critical time in American history.”

Ideally, Democrats should have refused to play that game of faith-based identity politics and simply assured us of a just society that respects and treats all people alike, with sound policy decisions backing up that promise.

With its decision to open and close its signature event with prayers of confessional faiths, with no representation at all of the Buddhist religion, the Democratic Party has indicated which religions are more welcome, whose votes more important.

It has also shown that they don’t practice in America what they preach to the rest of the world.
August 23, 2020