HinduPACT

Category: Media

  • HinduPACT Press Release on Violence in Bangladesh During Durga Puja

    HinduPACT Press Release on Violence in Bangladesh During Durga Puja

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    October 18, 2021

    Bangladeshi Hindus Protest Violence in Bangladesh During Durga Puja

    WASHINGTON, D.C – The Bangladeshi Hindu diaspora organized a protest in front of the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington, DC on Sunday, to protest large-scale violence leading to the destruction of Hindu homes and temples during Durga Puja festivities across Bangladesh. The violence has led to the murder and rape of dozens of Hindus.

    Grueling details and reports of violence targeting Hindu communities in Bangladesh during the holiday are emerging. Islamists accused the Hindus of “blasphemy” and wreaked death and destruction on them over the past 48 hours, all because the indigenous Hindus were celebrating their festival.

    According to Bangladeshi official, Mohammad Jahangir Alam, chairman of Pekua Upazila (administrative subdivision), the assault was started by radicals linked to Jamaat-e-Islami, a pan Islamist group that wields significant influence over many Muslim organizations across the US. Leaders of the Hindu community also noted that the murderous attackers hail from all across the political spectrum of Bangladesh, with many of them belonging to grassroots organizations associated with the ruling party.

    Pranesh Halder, a member of the Bangladeshi Hindu community, appealed to the US State Department “to ensure that no further harm comes to the beleaguered Hindus of Bangladesh.” He urged US-based watchdog groups and media houses to highlight the gravity of the violence in Bangladesh.

    Utsav Chakrabarti, the Executive Director of HinduPACT, a US-based Hindu advocacy group, said, “It is especially horrifying to see the last remaining Hindus in Noakhali being attacked in this way, 75 years after Islamists demanding the creation of Pakistan, killed 12,000 Hindus and forcibly converted 50,000 to Islam in Oct, 1946.”

    Indigenous Hindus continue to be the target of organized hate and discrimination in Bangladesh, a country where the minority population has steadily decreased from 28% in the 1940s to 9% today. This recent wave of violence confirms the danger indigenous Hindus continue to face. 50 years after nearly 2.8 million of them were killed, and another 10 million of them turned destitute and made to become refugees by the Pakistan Army in 1971, during the independence struggle of Bangladesh, Hindus continue to be targeted for their faith.

    The Hindus of Bangladesh have been facing an existential threat since the early 20th century, but what makes it one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern times is that their plight has been effectively ignored by the rest of the world.

  • CHINGARI Vigils Across North America

    CHINGARI Vigils Across North America

    CHINGARI-Vigil-Sept-2021

  • Press Release: AHAD Statement and Petition Requests Universities to Prevent Targeting Hindus and Disavow Hate Event “Dismantling Global Hindutva”

    Press Release: AHAD Statement and Petition Requests Universities to Prevent Targeting Hindus and Disavow Hate Event “Dismantling Global Hindutva”

    August 19, 2021

     

    Over Two Thousand People Have Already Signed the Petition

     In response to the event “Dismantling Global Hindutva” purportedly cosponsored the Departments and Institutes at forty prominent Universities in the US in September 2021, American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD) has initiated an online petition and issued the following statement.  This petition has already garnered 2000 signatures.  These signatures and associated comments are being sent to all the Universities co-sponsoring the event requesting them to disassociate themselves from this Hinduphobic event.

     

    “Dismantling Global Hindutva” yet another attempt by some of the best known Hinduphobic academicians and their allies to systematically delegitimize Hindu dharma at the academic institutions in the US.  We request the sponsoring universities to take immediate action to prevent vilification and intimidation of students, faculty of Hindu heritage as well as those of Indian origin under the guise of an event titled, “Dismantling Hindutva,” supposedly cosponsored by your institution.

     

    The word Hindutva, as defined by the Supreme Court of India (Ramesh Yeshwant Prabhoo case [1996 SCC (1) 130]) means:

     

    “The words ‘Hinduism’ or ‘Hindutva’ are not necessarily to be understood and construed narrowly, confined only to the strict Hindu religious practices unrelated to the culture and ethos of the people of India, depicting the way of life of the Indian people.”

    […]

    “Considering the terms ‘Hinduism’ or ‘Hindutva’ per se as depicting hostility, enmity or intolerance towards other religious faiths or professing communalism, proceeds form an improper appreciation and perception of the true meaning of these expressions emerging from the detailed discussion in earlier judgments of this court. Misuse of these expressions to promote communalism cannot alter the true meaning of these terms. The mischief resulting from the misuse of the terms by anyone in his speech has to be checked and not its permissible use.”

    […]

    “It is a fallacy and an error of law to proceed on the assumption that any reference to Hindutva or Hinduism in a speech makes it automatically a speech based on the Hindu religion as opposed to other religions or that the use of words ‘Hindutva’ or ‘Hinduism’ per se depicts an attitude hostile to all persons practising any religion other than the Hindu religion.”

    We believe that this event is being timed to take attention away from the tragic events unfolding in Afghanistan and the larger region.  At a time when many Hindus in America are working hard to address the issue of persecuted religious minorities, facing an existential threat in Afghanistan, this event targeting Hindus is aimed to distract from the critical humanitarian work that is the need of the hour.

     

    American Hindus are also focused on highlighting the plight of Hindu girls in Sindh, Pakistan.  For decades, on an average, three girls a day, some as young as 12-years of age are abducted, forcibly converted and married off to Muslim men decades older than them.  This campaign named CHINGARI, Coalition for Hindu Girls Abducted and their Rights has been gaining tremendous momentum.  We believe that many of the organizers of “Dismantling Hindutva” are aligned with the perpetrators of these heinous acts and their enablers, who want to divert the attention from increasing awareness about this human rights issue.

     

    We expect that purportedly co-sponsoring institutions will immediately disassociate themselves from this event and reassure the Hindu students, faculty and staff that their institutions are safe spaces for all religious minorities.

     

    Key Leader Statements:

     

    Ajay Shah, the President of VHPA and Convenor of AHAD said:

    Dismantling Global Hindutva event has been organized from September 10 to September 12.  It is no coincidence that the event has been timed to take place on Anniversary of September 11 terror attack, the largest on the American soil by the radical Islamic terrorists.  It should be clear that the organizers of this event have a nefarious motive of deflecting the attention away from the radical Islamic terrorism to the peaceful Hindu community by vilifying the essence of Hindu spiritual practices, culture and way of life, embodied in Hindutva.  At a time when thousands of Muslims from Afghanistan are seeking refuge from Islamic terrorism to predominantly Hindu India, to label Hindutva as a radical extremist philosophy is not just ironic but malevolent

    Commenting on the event, Utsav Chakrabarti, Executive Director, HinduPACT stated:

    At a time when radical Islamists in the Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, are emboldened by Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan, and are openly threatening India and its Hindu population, this event by Taliban apologists targeting Hindus, is worrisome. It shows that many Universities in the United States have become de-facto platform for the promotion of intolerance and violent extremism.

    Amitabh Mittal, General Secretary of VHPA said:

    How one can uproot that which is eternal? What threat is Hindutva, an expression of Hindu dharma, the all-encompassing religion and philosophy that ever existed? Why do the Marxist-Leninists and their allies feel threatened by the most accepting religion that has always stood for freedom?  It is a shame that these misguided people are talking about dismantling the faith that has survived the onslaught of invaders and colonialist for many millennia. These neo-detractors of the Hindu dharma will be another footnote in history.  We welcome their assault, Santana Dharma that is Hindu is the soul of humanity as said in the Bhagwad Gita “No weapon can harm it, fire cannot burn it, air cannot dry it and water cannot wet it”

     

    About American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD)

     

    American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD) is the first and the most prominent Hindu organization against defamation in the USA.  An initiative of World Hindu Council of America (VHPA), AHAD has been actively monitoring mass media, products, public places etc. to ensure respectful and accurate representation of Hindu dharma, culture, images and icons.  Active since 1997, hundreds of thousands of Hindus have participated in various advocacy activities led by AHAD. 

     

    About HinduPACT USA

     

    Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective, USA – HinduPACT USA is an initiative of the World Hindu Council of America (VHPA). HinduPACT (hindupact.org) aims to bring Hindu ethos and dharmic values of unity in diversity, plurality, compassion and, mutual respect amongst religions to policy and advocacy for human rights, environmental protection, racial and gender equality, and, interfaith dialog.  HinduPACT activities include voter education (hinduvote.org), CHINGARI (Coalition for HINdu Girls Abducted and their RIghts), HAHRI (Hindus Advancing Human Rights Internationally) and weekly live show on contemporary American Hindu issues The HinduLounge

     

    About World Hindu Council of America (VHPA)

     

    World Hindu Council of America (VHPA) is the most prominent organization of Hindus in the USA.  Founded in 1970, it has chapters across the country.   VHPA runs educational programs for Hindu children and youth in addition to community service (Seva) activities, and initiatives such as Hindu Mandir Executives’ Conference (HMEC), Hindu Womens’ Network, American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD), Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective (HinduPACT).

  • Press Release: HinduPACT Kashmir Forward Event

    Press Release: HinduPACT Kashmir Forward Event

    HinduPACT-Kashmir-Capitol-Hill-Event-2021

  • HinduPACT Statement on Attacks on Asian Americans

    HinduPACT Statement on Attacks on Asian Americans

    March 19, 2021

    HinduPACT condemns the murders and other violent attacks on Asian Americans across the US, including Indian Americans who are predominantly followers of the dharmic religious traditions.  Reports indicate that over the past one year, around 3000 attacks on Asian Americans have taken place, which reflects a 150% increase over the previous year.  HinduPACT believes that lack of cultural understanding, racial prejudices, and economic envy are among the primary reasons for these attacks.  These attacks have no place in America.

    Commenting on the attacks, Ajay Shah, President of World Hindu Council of America and Convenor of HinduPACT stated:

    Attacks on Asian Americans, driven by “Othering” and economic envy have no place in America.  While physical attacks are recorded and reported to some extent, the bullying of children in the schools and other more subtle attacks go unrecorded and unreported.  Universities and school districts that apply “personality scores” and other measures to deprive Asian Americans equal opportunity in education also play a role in increasing prejudice against Asian Americans.   

    Utsav Chakrabarti, Executive Director of HinduPACT stated:

    Over the past decade, Asian Americans have been increasing demonized and targeted for their success in the academia and the workplace. It was just a matter of time before the shrill rhetoric of identity-politics on social media and in the Public square took its toll in the form of such a tragic event.

    Rakhi Israni, HinduPACT Executive Director, Legal said:

    As a community, Asian Americans have always been hard-working and positive contributors to the American economy and society, and yet they have continually experienced astonishing numbers of hate crimes.  The acts of hate experienced by the Asian American community haven’t been limited to violent physical actions.  Unfortunately, they have spanned a wide gamut of subtle moves to punish Asian Americans for their success and achievements.  We call on all policy makers, in the private and public sectors, to strive for the equal treatment of all individuals, regardless of race, religion, and nationality. 

    A detailed exploration of attacks on Asian Americans was presented on the HinduLounge, our weekly live show on Contemporary American Hindu issues (hindulounge.com) on March 13, 2021.

    About HinduPACT USA
    Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective, USA – HinduPACT USA is an initiative of the World Hindu Council of America (VHPA). HinduPACT (hindupact.org) aims to bring Hindu ethos and dharmic values of unity in diversity, plurality, compassion and, mutual respect amongst religions to policy and advocacy for human rights, environmental protection, racial and gender equality, and, interfaith dialog.  HinduPACT activities include voter education (hinduvote.org), and weekly live show on contemporary American Hindu issues HinduLounge (hindulounge.com). 

    About World Hindu Council of America (VHPA)
    World Hindu Council of America (VHPA) is the most prominent organization of Hindus in the USA.  Founded in 1970, it has chapters across the country.   VHPA runs educational programs for Hindu children and youth in addition to community service (Seva) activities, and initiatives such as Hindu Mandir Executives’ Conference (HMEC), Hindu Womens’ Network, American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD), Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective USA (HinduPACT).

     

  • HinduPACT Outlines Hindu Agenda for First 100 Days of Biden/Harris Administration

    HinduPACT Outlines Hindu Agenda for First 100 Days of Biden/Harris Administration

    January 21, 2020

    American Hindus played a key role in the battleground states during the 2021 Presidential elections with an estimated 60 percent of American Hindus voting for candidates on the Democratic ticket.  HinduPACT, one of the key organizations representing Hindus in the US, urges the Biden administration to take action on the following issues that are of importance to the Hindu community in the first 100 days of their administration:

    1. Ensure legal protection for DALCA (Deferred Action for Legal Childhood Arrivals) kids. DALCA kids are comprised of more than 150,000 hard working Hindu kids who fear the possibility of ageing out at 21 through no fault of their own or of their parents. Unfortunately, the DACA regulations do not apply to DALCA kids since these regulations only help kids who entered the US illegally.  The DALCA kids, on the other hand, entered the United States lawfully and legally.  We request that the DACLA kids be considered for permanent residency within first 100 days.
    1. Expedite green cards for high-skilled professionals. The high-tech economy of today has enormous need for scientific and technical talent. US has been able to attract exceptional scientists and technologists from around the world, a vast majority of whom are Hindus from India who come to the US on H1B work visa.  The path to legal permanent residence for these legal residents is torturous and can take up to two decades.  We request that that in the first 100 days the Biden administration expedite the permanent residency process for H1B visa holders
    1. Support the human rights of persecuted religious minorities in authoritative theocracies. Certain vulnerable religious communities are facing organized and brutal pogroms like Yezidis in Iraq and Syria and Hindu Rohingyas in Muslim majority Rohingya refugee camps.  As one of the world’s super powers, the United States has a moral duty to help those who are suffering on a regular basis in their home countries, especially in cases in which the home country does not follow the democratic ideals that allow and ensure that all citizens have a voice.  The Biden administration must immediately grant prioritized asylum to these persecuted minorities as part of its first 100-day agenda.
    1. Facilitate strong policy reform on religious-based bullying on both state and federal levels. Bullying has been linked to many negative ills found among our youth in society, including extreme impacts on mental health, substance abuse, and suicide.  According to a recent Hindu American Foundation study, one third of the Hindu youth surveyed said they had been bullied simply because of their religion, while half of those surveyed expressed feeling social isolation and awkwardness simply because they practiced a faith with a different mode of worship.  The Biden administration must launch a study on reforming federal and state bullying laws to ensure the mental health and safety of all youth.  
    1. Prohibit state-funding of universities to suppress free speech on college campuses. In recent years, there have been numerous vicious attempts to target courses and instructors of Hindu Studies as well as publicly admonish Hindu students from expressing their views on topics related to Hinduism.  University campuses should allow for the free expression and exploration of thoughts and ideas.  Within first 100 days, the Biden administration must issue a directive to make the federal grants to the universities contingent up on them honoring and protecting the rights afforded under the First Amendment.
    1. Balance Merit and Equal Opportunity in Academics. American Hindus fully embrace the allocation of resources to ensure that every child and youth in America has fair and equal access to the best educational institutions in America.  We endorse the idea of early childhood education and special supplemental educational facilities for those who need.  We, however, do not believe that the importance of merit should be diminished.  The de-emphasis of merit in academics adversely impacts Asian American students, including Hindu students.  The Biden administration must form a commission within first 100 days to reimagine federal government’s role in promoting merit and equal opportunities to all deserving youth.
    1. Ensure equal healthcare access to all and inclusive clinical trials. It is appalling that in one of the most highly developed and civilized countries in the world almost 30 million Americans did not have health insurance at one point.  It is imperative that the reduction of health care disparities in the country, which include clinical trials, be a focal point of this new administration.  It is well understood that people of different races and ethnicities are not uniformly affected by a given disease and the drugs work differently among patients of diverse background.  The federally funded clinical trials and the criterial for approval of drugs must ensure that the clinical trials include diverse populations.
    1. Provide greater capital access for faith-based communities, including American Hindus.
      Faith-based communities play a critical role in providing social capital and community resilience in our society. Unlike other faith communities, the Hindu community has had little access to capital because of which the Hindu organizations have remained under-resourced in their community revitalization and disaster relief capabilities. The Biden administration must ask FEMA to actively work with the Hindu community organizations to ensure their inclusion in all future relief efforts.
    1. Promote a carbon neutral American economy. Hindu ethos prescribes theological impetus to a worldview that allows humanity to pursue universal wellbeing in harmony with the Nature. We hope that these ethos become integral to the new administration’s framework to rework and further strengthen the American economy. Within the first 100 days, the Biden administration must create a plan to set measurable environmental goals leading to a carbon neutral American economy that balances protection of the environment with the creation of more American jobs.
    1. Respect the sovereign rights of India, a democratic ally, to govern and manage its own laws for the benefit of its people. America and India are two of the most prominent democracies in the world.  For all Hindus, regardless of their race and nationality, India is a dharmabhoomi (sacred land).  As the people of India have always been respectful to the United States and to its democracy, Hindu Americans ask the Biden administration to also respect India and its democracy and to not interfere in the domestic affairs of India at the behest of extremist groups in America.
    1. Finally, refer to Indian Americans as “Indian Americans”. As Americans would likely not wish to be labeled as North Americans, Indian Americans do not wish to be referred to as South Asians.  South Asian label robs Indian American of their unique Indian identity.

    As one of the most successful communities in America, the Hindu American community stands as a testament to the success of the American dream.  Undoubtedly, Hindus in America are strong and positive contributors to the American economy and to the societies in which they live.  We hope that the Biden administration will recognize the success and contributions of our community and further engage with HinduPACT to address the concerns of our community as listed above. 

    We wish the Biden administration a very successful and fruitful term in office. 

    About HinduPACT USA

    Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective, USA – HinduPACT USA is an initiative of the World Hindu Council of America (VHPA). HinduPACT (hindupact.org) aims to bring Hindu ethos and dharmic values of unity in diversity, plurality, compassion and, mutual respect amongst religions to policy and advocacy for human rights, environmental protection, racial and gender equality, and, interfaith dialog.  HinduPACT activities include voter education (hinduvote.org), and weekly live show on contemporary American Hindu issues HinduLounge (hindulounge.com). 

    About HinduVote.Org

    HinduVote.Org, a project of HinduPACT USA is dedicated to engagement of voters in American electoral process at local, state and federal levels.  HinduVote promotes voter education, voter registration, and, get-out-the-vote efforts.   HinduVote engages legislators at all levels to ensure that issues important to American Hindus are addressed.

    About World Hindu Council of America (VHPA)

    World Hindu Council of America (VHPA) is the most prominent organization of Hindus in the USA.  Founded in 1970, it has chapters across the country.   VHPA runs educational programs for Hindu children and youth in addition to community service (Seva) activities, and initiatives such as Hindu Mandir Executives’ Conference (HMEC), Hindu Womens’ Network, American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD), Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective USA (HinduPACT).

  • HinduPACT Press Release on the Riots at Capitol Hill

    HinduPACT Press Release on the Riots at Capitol Hill

    The following statement was issued by HinduPACT, an initiative of World Hindu Council of America
    (VHPA).

    HinduPACT has stood for the democratic right to peaceful protest. However, the events this week at the Capitol Hill are not reflective of peaceful protests. We believe that such riots undermine the democracy and democratic processes and must be denounced by all. We also believe that there is no place for flags of any country other than the USA at these protests. We note that attempts to link the Indian flag to Hindus by Hinduphobes has failed after the identity of the person carrying the flag was revealed.

    Commenting on the Capitol Hill riots, Ajay Shah, the President of VHPA and Convenor of HinduPACT stated:

    “American Hindus are categorically against any rioting. We believe that riots and anarchy have no place in a democracy. We believe that the right to peaceful protest is sacrosanct and an orderly transfer of power is essential for the survival of democracy. HinduPACT was against the Antifa takeover of public spaces during the past summer, and we are against the breach of Capitol Hill by the rioters in Washington DC this week. We note with dismay that an Indian flag was seen at the demonstration. We believe that the Indian flag, or a flag of any country, had any place at the demonstrations when issues at stake are internal to that country. This is again, consistent with the stand we had taken when foreign flags were seen during protests and riots in summer. “

    Utsav Chakrabarti, Executive Director of the HinduPACT commented:

    “It is truly unfortunate to see the events that unfolded at the Capitol Hill yesterday. These events highlight the point that street justice has no place in the democratic process. Unfortunately, this form of grievance redressal was glorified and used a successful tactic for mobilization during the run up to the election by one side. A tactic that successfully worked for one side, is bound to be picked up and applied by the other side, in a situation where both sides have little desire or space to reconcile.”

    About HinduPACT USA

    Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective, USA – HinduPACT USA is an initiative of the World Hindu Council of America (VHPA). HinduPACT (hindupact.org) aims to bring Hindu ethos and dharmic values of unity in diversity, plurality, compassion and, mutual respect amongst religions to policy and advocacy for human rights, environmental protection, racial and gender equality, and, interfaith dialog. HinduPACT activities include voter education (hinduvote.org), and weekly live show on contemporary American Hindu issues HinduLounge (hindulounge.com).

    About HinduVote.Org

    HinduVote.Org, a project of HinduPACT USA is dedicated to engagement of voters in American electoral process at local, state and federal levels. HinduVote promotes voter education, voter registration, and, get-out-the-vote efforts. HinduVote engages legislators at all levels to ensure that issues important to American Hindus are addressed.

    About World Hindu Council of America (VHPA)

    World Hindu Council of America (VHPA) is the most prominent organization of Hindus in the USA. Founded in 1970, it has chapters across the country. VHPA runs educational programs for Hindu children and youth in addition to community service (Seva) activities, and initiatives such as Hindu Mandir Executives’ Conference (HMEC), Hindu Womens’ Network, American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD), Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective USA (HinduPACT).

  • Swastika, NY Town Board Votes To Keep Its Name, Cites Use In Hindu, Buddhism

    Swastika, NY Town Board Votes To Keep Its Name, Cites Use In Hindu, Buddhism

    https://www.newsweek.com/swastika-ny-town-board-votes-keep-its-name-cites-use-hindu-buddhism-1533386

    [This article from Newsweek was republished with AHAD comments]

    BY  

    The board members of a small community in northern New York decided last week to keep the area’s controversial “Swastika” name after a visitor proposed a change earlier this summer.

    Swastika is an unincorporated area within Black Brook, a small town located in Clinton County. Black Brook’s town supervisor, Jon Douglass, told North Country Public Radio (NCPR) that the board did not think changing the name was necessary because of the term’s meaning prior to its use in Nazi Germany.

    The board discussed the name for about five minutes before voting unanimously to keep it, NCPR reported.

    Douglass acknowledged that many in the U.S. think of the swastika in terms of its association with white supremacy, but he told NCPR, “I believe there are others that do not associate it with hate.” Douglass pointed to the Hindu and Buddhist religions, both of which have used a version of the swastika icon to represent spirituality. The symbol in Sanskrit that is used in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism means “well-being,” according to the BBC.

    Swastika’s original settlers decided on the name in the 1800s, and those who lived there in the wake of World War II defended the name for its original meaning, Douglass told NCPR. “Some of the residents that were from that area actually fought in World War II and refused to change the name just because Hitler tried to tarnish the meaning of swastika,” he said.

    The World Hindu Council of America (VHPA)’s American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD) initiative has in recent months argued in favor of differentiating between the swastika used as a “sacred symbol” and the version used by Nazis, known as the Nazi Hakenkreuz. In July, the AHAD encouraged the New York Senate to make the distinction clear while considering a new piece of legislation, which proposed requiring “New York school children be educated regarding the meaning of swastikas and nooses as symbols of hatred and intolerance.”

    The proposed legislation would “perpetuate ignorance and promote HinduPhobia in schools across New York state,” AHAD Convener Ajay Shah said in a statement.

  • HinduPACT Gala Program Press Release

    HinduPACT Gala Program Press Release

    Hindu Advocacy in America – Towards a Strong American Hindu Voice in the Public Square

    To kick-off its 2021 policy research and advocacy initiatives, HinduPACT organized a fundraiser gala on Saturday, December 19, 2020.  Conducted virtually on several online platforms, it was headlined by an anticipated keynote by Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, US House of Representatives, and included four prominent American Hindu panelists: Dr. Rik Mehta, Ms. Vindhya Adapa, Dr. Raj Vedam, and Pandit Roopnauth Sharma.  Unfortunately, Rep. Gabbard had to cancel her appearance at the last minute, and the proceedings nevertheless continued with background information eloquently provided by Dr. Ajay Shah and Utsav Chakrabarti, HinduPACT Convener and Executive Director, respectively.

    The event was anchored and hosted by Preity Üpala, a former investment banker and Miss India International, who now is a media entrepreneur in Hollywood, CA, a geo-political commentator, columnist, and director of The Omnia Institute.

    The program began with a Sri Ganésh stuti, mellifluously sung by Ms. Geetikka Kulkarni, a renowned playback singer (of Bajirao Mastani and other movies fame).  The urgent need for partnerships for American Hindus to promote Hindu voices and perspectives in the political and cultural landscape of USA was articulated by Ankur Patel, HinduPACT Director for Partnerships, along with introductory remarks.  This was followed by felicitations by Dr. Abhaya Asthana, President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), and Dr. Ved P. Nanda, John Evans Distinguished University Professor and Thompson G. Marsh Professor of Law, University of Denver.  Dr. Jai Bansal, HinduPACT Executive Director – Education, and former Chief Scientific Officer and Distinguished Fellow at Argonne National Laboratory, provided a brief on Hindu diaspora in USA, the structure of HinduPACT, its current and proposed activities, and financial (donations and/or endowments) needs.

    A very engaging and thought-provoking panel discussion, moderated by Ms. Rakhi Israni, HinduPACT Executive Director – Legal, ensued.  It articulated the broad theme of advocating a strong American Hindu voice in the public space that encompasses political, cultural, and educational arenas.  Dr. Raj Vedam, Co-Founder of Indian History Awareness and Research think-tank (Houston, TX) and Director of Arsha Vidya Satsanga, emphasized the necessity of advancing Hindu narratives that are contextualized in their original Puranic traditions.  The urgency for countering the distorted colonial and leftist descriptions was also expressed.  The latter engender flagrant Hinduphobia and outright demeaning of Hindu values and cultural identities.  These views were further advanced by Pundit Roopnauth Sharma, President of the Hindu Federation, Ontario, Canada, and Ms. Vindhya Adapa, Attorney Advisor – US Dept of Treasury and Formerly Asst. General Counsel for HIAS.  Ms. Adapa also espoused the need of forming partnerships with other diasporas in order to build broader advocacy coalitions.  Dr. Rik Mehta, Biotech entrepreneur, Healthcare policy expert, former USFDA staffer, and first American Hindu 2020 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in New Jersey, echoed similar comments for advancing Hindu points of view in its multi-faceted domains.  The question and answer session that followed evoked a very engaging and thought-provoking exchange between the moderator, panelists, and viewers.

    Earnest appeals for donations to endow the HinduPACT initiatives were made by Smt. Renu Gupta, HinduPACT Executive Director for Chapter Development, and Smt. Vishakha Manek, Healthcare entrepreneur, prominent social worker, and a clinical Registered Nurse.  The pressing need for funding the policy research and Hindu issues advocacy in USA cannot be overstated, and donations can be made at the following URL: https://hindupact.org/. 

    In his concluding remarks, Utsav Chakrabarti narrated an emotive personal journey of Hindu discrimination, grossly distorted depiction of Hindu views, and Hinduphobia, which guided his path to engagement with HinduPACT.   The program was interlaced with melodious musical interludes provided by Ms. Geetikka Kulkarni, and ended with a lovely Ghoomer song and the rendition of Albela Sajan song in both Hindi and Telegu. 

    The estimated virtual audience of the gala was 5,000 viewers over the diverse Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube internet platforms.  Furthermore, the program was streamed (either live or via a dedicated link) by the following media partners: Diya TV (https://diyatvusa.com/), Tag TV (https://www.tagtv.info/), and Bharat FM (https://bharatfm.com/).  

  • HinduPACT Press Release on Presidential Elections

    HinduPACT Press Release on Presidential Elections

    The following statement was issued by Ajay Shah, Convener, HinduPACT USA:

    While the official elections have yet to be certified, the media has projected Vice President Biden and Sen. Harris as winners of the elections.  If these results eventually hold, on behalf of American Hindus we congratulate the Democratic ticket.  We want to commend a record number of voters who turned out to vote for elections in the 2020 Presidential election cycle.  We anticipate that a record number of American Hindus also voted in these elections.  The American Hindu community was more informed and more engaged than ever before.  We thank American Hindus for tuning into various HinduLounge shows and debates to understand both sides of the issues and utilizing resources available on our voter education website HinduVote.org to make an informed decision.

    We heard from both the campaigns in this closely fought election that the American Hindu vote would play the most critical role in ten battleground states.  This should serve as a reminder that promises made to the American Hindus during the elections should now be kept

    We want to remind tentatively President-elect Biden that while his campaign did not create a website with an agenda for Hindus (like it did for other faiths), his likely administration will abide by the promises given by his surrogates in various forums and address genuine domestic and international Hindu issues.  These include reduction of wait time for H1B visa holders (an issue disproportionally affecting Hindus), providing protection to children of H1B visa who attain adulthood (DACLA kids), reining in of blatant Hinduphobic resolutions by various Democrat-run city councils, Department of Education that ensures fair and accurate representation of Hindu dharma in federally funded educational institutions, fight against radical Islamic terrorism and advocacy for persecuted Hindu minorities globally.

    This election cycle has also seen many American Hindu candidates elected.  HinduPACT will issue a separate press release on Congressional election results.

    About HinduPACT USA

    Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective, USA – HinduPACT USA is an initiative of the World Hindu Council of America (VHPA). HinduPACT (hindupact.org) aims to bring Hindu ethos and dharmic values of unity in diversity, plurality, compassion and, mutual respect amongst religions to policy and advocacy for human rights, environmental protection, racial and gender equality, and, interfaith dialog.  HinduPACT activities include voter education (hinduvote.org), and weekly live show on contemporary American Hindu issues HinduLounge (hindulounge.com). 

    About HinduVote.Org

    HinduVote.Org, a project of HinduPACT USA is dedicated to engagement of voters in American electoral process at local, state and federal levels.  HinduVote promotes voter education, voter registration, and, get-out-the-vote efforts.   HinduVote engages legislators at all levels to ensure that issues important to American Hindus are addressed.

    About World Hindu Council of America (VHPA)

    World Hindu Council of America (VHPA) is the most prominent organization of Hindus in the USA.  Founded in 1970, it has chapters across the country.   VHPA runs educational programs for Hindu children and youth in addition to community service (Seva) activities, and initiatives such as Hindu Mandir Executives’ Conference (HMEC), Hindu Womens’ Network, American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD), Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective USA (HinduPACT).