Over 100 rights groups show concern at rising Hindutva activism in US
Washington: Over 100 civil society groups have expressed acute concern about the alarming rise of Hindutva activism in the United States.
According to Kashmir Media Service, a declaration, released by Savera – an interfaith, multiracial, anti-caste coalition of Indian American and partner civil rights groups in the US – warned that the Hindutva supremacist movement “now finds itself in a deepening alliance with various facets of the American far-right”. The declaration stressed that Hindutva poses a threat to democracy and pluralism.
Signatories, including prominent groups like the Movement for Black Lives, Jewish Voice for Peace, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, and the National Lawyers’ Guild, have pledged to combat the spread of Hindu supremacy by rejecting supremacist politics, standing against Islamophobia and caste discrimination.
They have also pledged to advocate for human rights, and support inclusive visions of Indian-American identity.
The statement followed Savera’s recent report, titled “The Global VHP’s Trail of Violence,” which comprehensively outlined the damaging impact of the US-based Hindu supremacist movement.
The declaration said Hindutva supremacist organisations may hide behind a facade of multiculturalism and diversity, but in practice, they have worked to break bonds of solidarity between communities and legitimise far-right politics within communities of colour — including by attacking civil rights groups; collaborating with far-right demagogues; spreading anti-Muslim disinformation; opposing affirmative action and caste protections for marginalised communities; and working to curb free speech and academic freedom.
“The deeply anti-Muslim project of Hindutva supremacy began and continues to function as a dominant caste project, and its history is littered with examples of violence against Muslims and other religious minorities, caste-oppressed groups and indigenous peoples. The Hindutva supremacist movement is not only harmful to Indian, South Asian and Muslim Americans, but runs deeply counter to our values of collective liberation”.
“It is our shared responsibility to stand in solidarity with those who are bravely opposing supremacist politics and fighting for a truly multiracial democracy. Hindu supremacy deeply concerns us all, and we are committed to combating it,” the statement said.
