Hindus for Human Rights

Hindu American pluralist advocacy organization

Hindus for Human Rights

Abbreviation| HfHR
Formation| 2019; 5 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

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]

## 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]

## References

[edit]

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