Hindus for Human Rights

Hindu American pluralist advocacy organization

Hindus for Human Rights

Abbreviation| HfHR
Formation| 2019; 6 years ago (2019)
Founder| Sunita Viswanath, Raju Rajagopal, Deepak Gupta, Sapthagiri Iyengar, Sunil Sakhalkar, Punya Upadhyaya

Tax ID no.

| 36-4952444
Legal status| 501(c)(3) non-profit
Purpose| Pluralism, civil rights, and human rights in South Asia and North America
Headquarters| Washington, D.C.
Location|

* United States

Region served

| United States, United Kingdom, Australia

Official language

| English
Website| www.hindusforhumanrights.org

Hindus for Human Rights (abbr. HfHR) is a U.S.-based non-profit advocacy group founded in 2019.

## History

[edit]

The organization was founded in the summer of 2019 in the wake of Narendra Modi's re-election as Prime Minister of India.[1] It was co-founded by Sunita Viswanath, Raju Rajagopal, Deepak Gupta, Sapthagiri Iyengar, Sunil Sakhalkar, and Punya Upadhyaya.[2][3] Advisory board members of Hindus for Human Rights include Rajmohan Gandhi, T.M. Krishna, Martin Macwan, Faisal Khan, Linda Hess, Swara Bhaskar, and Khalid Anis Ansari.[4] The UK chapter was founded in the summer of 2023.

## Advocacy

[edit]

Hindus for Human Rights has protested against the Howdy Modi rally in 2019[5] and the Citizenship Amendment Act.[6] HfHR has also organized press conferences and webinars in support of former and current activists and political prisoners in India including Sanjiv Bhatt,[7] Umar Khalid,[8] Anand Teltumbde,[9] Sudha Bharadwaj,[10] and the late Father Stan Swamy.[11]

In April 2022, Hindus for Human Rights compiled a statement asking Hindus around the world to break the "collective silence and speak out" against Hindutva-fuelled hate and violence against Muslims in India.[12]

In 2024 Hindus for Human Rights UK led campaigns against the organising of Hindu nationalist groups around the UK general election and against the fact that the “Mayor of London’s annual Diwali” event was organised by the VHP (UK) and other groups that promote or support Hindutva. HfHR UK wrote an open letter to the Mayor of London that was signed by a number of prominent South Asian diasporic organisations, party political groups, and prominent individuals.

## References

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1. ^ "Sunita Viswanath: India's democracy is in grave danger; state repression of minorities, dissenters at all-time high". The American Bazaar. 2021-04-08. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
2. ^ Viswanath, Raju Rajagopal, Sunita. "Hindus for Human Rights | In support of the Dismantling Global Hindutva conference". www.thedp.com. Retrieved 2022-02-02.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
3. ^ "Board of Directors". Hindus for Human Rights. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
4. ^ "Advisory Board". Hindus for Human Rights. Retrieved 2022-10-08.
5. ^ Jose, Khemta H. (2019-09-22). "'Adios Modi': Protestors Chant Outside 'Howdy Modi' Event in US". TheQuint. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
6. ^ Ali, Mohammad. "Thousands protest in US cities against India citizenship law". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
7. ^ "Indian American organizations urge Supreme Court to give bail to Sanjiv Bhatt". Hindustan Times. 2021-01-19. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
8. ^ Abubacker, Afra (2021-11-18). "In India, Muslim UAPA prisoners persecuted for their faith: Families tell US congressional briefing". Maktoob media. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
9. ^ "Statement by Hindus for Human Rights and Global Indian Progressive Alliance Protesting the Arrest of Dr. Anand Teltumbde and Gautam Navlakha". Hindus for Human Rights. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
10. ^ Fatima, Nikhat (2021-12-10). "IAMC, HfHR welcome release of Sudha Bharadwaj". TwoCircles.net. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
11. ^ "A Prayer for Father Stan Swamy". Hindus for Human Rights. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
12. ^ "Time to 'Break Collective Silence and Speak out Against Hate', Say Hindu Orgs, Leaders". The Wire.

*[HfHR]: Hindus for Human Rights