HinduPACT

Tag: Hindu Hate

  • Representative Thanedar: “We must show that we will not tolerate fear and hate, and we will spread the truth about Hindu Dharma.”

    Representative Thanedar: “We must show that we will not tolerate fear and hate, and we will spread the truth about Hindu Dharma.”

    April 15, 2024

    Rep. Shri Thanedar exclusively appeared on HinduPACT’s HinduLounge show hosted by Tejal Shah (Convenor Hindu Mandir Empowerment Council and Jt. Gen. Secy. World Hindu Council of America, VHPA) and Sudha Jagganathan HinduLounge co-host and a prominent American Hindu community organizer this week, emphasizing the critical need to protect personal freedoms and take serious actions against incidents that undermine the freedom to practice one’s religion. Highlighting the challenges faced by the Hindu community, Rep. Thanedar discussed the underutilization of government programs by the community, including Homeland Security grants that support sophisticated security systems for religious institutions during special events.

    Rep. Thanedar firmly stands against terrorism, violence, and vandalism, condemning these acts as direct attacks on peaceful religious practices. He pointed out that while Hindu dharma is a peaceful religion, its passive nature is often mistakenly perceived as a weakness. This perception underscores the urgency for increased involvement of the Hindu community in mainstream politics and activism to safeguard their own freedoms and those of future generations.

    In his commitment to combating Hinduphobia and hate crimes, Rep. Thanedar has introduced Resolution HR 1131 and formed a Hindu caucus in the U.S. House. He advocates for greater civic involvement among Hindus and stresses the importance of building strong relationships with local elected leaders, not only in times of crisis but as a continual effort.

    Rep. Thanedar calls on the community to develop political influence, stating, “We must show that we will not tolerate fear and hate, and we will spread the truth about Hindu Dharma.” He also emphasized that this responsibility extends beyond the Congressional Hindu Caucus to every individual within the community.

  • Press Release: HinduPACT Condemns Growing Hate Against Hindu Communities Across America

    Press Release: HinduPACT Condemns Growing Hate Against Hindu Communities Across America

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    August 26, 2022

    HinduPACT Condemns Growing Hate Against Hindu Communities Across America 

    WASHINGTON, D.C – A recent slew of anti-Hindu attacks across America have resulted in a renewed focus on the targeting of American Hindus on the basis of their race, religious and national origin. HinduPACT condemns this growing hate and vitriol against a thriving and flourishing diaspora community that is proudly part of America’s civil society and fabric. 

    These latest slew of attacks follow two hateful incidents in New York where a Hindu temple was twice attacked and a statue of Mahatma Gandhi was defaced and destroyed. 

    Rakhi Israni, Executive Director, Legal, HinduPACT, said:

    “Along with the irrational hate being directed at Asian Americans in general, hate crimes against Hindu Americans and Indian Americans are on the rise nationwide. From the recent vicious incident at a Taco Bell in Fremont, California, to the attack on the four Indian American women in Plano, Texas, it is unfortunately becoming too common in our daily society to verbally or, even worse, physically assault another person because of their skin color, religion, or national origin. We urge the law enforcement in these cities to aggressively pursue these acts as hate crimes as a deterrent to others who choose to act on their irrational hatred for other people who differ from them in any way.”

    HinduPACT Executive Director Utsav Chakrabarti said of the attack by Khalistani in Fremont, California:

    “The Khalistanis are totally divorced from Sikh theology and history. The Sikh diaspora is being rapidly digested by the Pakistani and Islamist diaspora.” Chakrabarti added, “This kind of hate-mongering that is rapidly rising across the country is an outcome of growing identity politics and narrative building by special interest groups.”

    Ajay Shah, Convenor of HinduPACT and American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD), speaking on behalf of AHAD said:

    “The physical assault on Hindu women in Plano, Texas, and verbal assault against a Hindu customer in Fremont, California, are a continuation of Indiaphobia, Hinduphobia and Asian hate in our society. It would be easy to blame these incidents on the envy of success of the immigrant Hindu community or even their skin color. Undoubtedly, these factors play a significant role.” Shah continued, “However, we would be remiss if we overlooked the role of Hindu hating organizations such as Hindus for Human Rights, Equality Labs, Indian American Muslim Council, Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) and Dismantle Global Hindutva. Their ilk fosters and enables for an environment where such incidents are able to take place. We call upon the Hindu community to be extra vigilant in countering hate as we continue to positively reinforce the image of Hindus in America through movements like Hindu Heritage Month in October.”

  • WATCH AHAD and DCF Hindudvesha Webinar: What Hindus Can Learn from the Jewish Holocaust

    WATCH AHAD and DCF Hindudvesha Webinar: What Hindus Can Learn from the Jewish Holocaust

    The horrors of the Holocaust that unfolded in Nazi Germany in the 20th century were preceded by an intense anti-Semitic discourse that dehumanized the Jewish people. Anti-Semitic discourse paved the way for a society claiming to be civilized to perpetrate, without remorse or protest, the horrors of the Holocaust. 

    This Webinar will feature two Jewish speakers, a Holocaust survivor and a Holocaust Historian, who reflect on their experiences. How does the Jewish community preserve the memories of those events and tirelessly work to ensure that they never happen again? What are possible Holocaust lessons for Hindus who have experienced genocide in several countries and who continue to experience sustained Hindudvesha –  a discourse that dehumanizes Hindus everywhere.

    AHAD is an initiative of World Hindu Council of America (VHPA) This webinar is part of Hinduphobia / Hindudvesha series in partnership with Dharma Civilization Foundation.