DougHuonDeKermad at 17:07, 8 May 2026

2026-05-08T17:07:01Z

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{{Short description|Hindu American pluralist advocacy organization}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Hindus for Human Rights
| full_name =
| image = Hindus_for_Human_Rights_logo.png
| image_size =
| purpose = Pluralism, civil rights, and human rights in South Asia and North America
| abbreviation = HfHR
| formation = {{start date and age|df=yes|2019}}
| founder = [[Sunita Viswanath]], Raju Rajagopal, Deepak Gupta, Sapthagiri Iyengar, Sunil Sakhalkar, Punya Upadhyaya
| headquarters = Washington, D.C.
| location = United States
| region_served = United States, United Kingdom, Australia
| status = [[501(c)(3)]] non-profit
| tax_id = 36-4952444
| language = English
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| website = {{URL|https://www.hindusforhumanrights.org/}}
}}

'''Hindus for Human Rights''' ({{Small|abbr.}} {{Abbr|HfHR|Hindus for Human Rights}}) is a U.S.-based non-profit [[advocacy group]] founded in 2019.

== History ==
The organization was founded in the summer of 2019 in the wake of [[Narendra Modi]]'s re-election as [[Prime Minister of India]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-08|title=Sunita Viswanath: India's democracy is in grave danger; state repression of minorities, dissenters at all-time high|url=https://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2021/04/08/sunita-viswanath-indias-democracy-in-grave-danger-444859/|access-date=2022-02-02|website=The American Bazaar|language=en-US}}</ref> It was co-founded by [[Sunita Viswanath]], Raju Rajagopal, Deepak Gupta, Sapthagiri Iyengar, Sunil Sakhalkar, and Punya Upadhyaya.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Viswanath|first=Raju Rajagopal, Sunita|title=Hindus for Human Rights {{!}} In support of the Dismantling Global Hindutva conference|url=https://www.thedp.com/article/2021/12/upenn-hindtuva-conference-hindus-for-human-rights|access-date=2022-02-02|website=www.thedp.com|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Board of Directors|url=https://www.hindusforhumanrights.org/en/team|access-date=2022-02-04|website=Hindus for Human Rights|language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Advisory Board|url=https://www.hindusforhumanrights.org/en/advboard|access-date=2022-10-08|website=Hindus for Human Rights|language=en-US}}</ref> The UK chapter was founded in the summer of 2023.

== Advocacy ==
Hindus for Human Rights has protested against the [[Howdy Modi]] rally in 2019<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jose|first=Khemta H.|date=2019-09-22|title='Adios Modi': Protestors Chant Outside 'Howdy Modi' Event in US|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/world/howdy-modi-pm-houston-protests-kashmir-370|access-date=2022-02-02|website=TheQuint|language=en}}</ref> and the [[Citizenship Amendment Act]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ali|first=Mohammad|title=Thousands protest in US cities against India citizenship law|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/1/27/thousands-protest-in-us-cities-against-india-citizenship-law|access-date=2022-02-02|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref> HfHR has also organized press conferences and webinars in support of former and current activists and political prisoners in India including [[Sanjiv Bhatt]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-19|title=Indian American organizations urge Supreme Court to give bail to Sanjiv Bhatt|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-american-organizations-urge-supreme-court-to-give-bail-to-sanjiv-bhatt-101611026042793.html|access-date=2022-02-02|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> [[Umar Khalid]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Abubacker|first=Afra|date=2021-11-18|title=In India, Muslim UAPA prisoners persecuted for their faith: Families tell US congressional briefing|url=https://maktoobmedia.com/2021/11/18/in-india-muslim-uapa-prisoners-persecuted-for-their-faith-families-tell-us-congressional-briefing/|access-date=2022-02-02|website=Maktoob media|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Anand Teltumbde]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Statement by Hindus for Human Rights and Global Indian Progressive Alliance Protesting the Arrest of Dr. Anand Teltumbde and Gautam Navlakha|url=https://www.hindusforhumanrights.org/en/blog/statement-by-hindus-for-human-rights-and-global-indian-progressive-alliance-protesting-the-arrest-of-dr-anand-teltumbde-and-gautam-navlakha|access-date=2022-02-02|website=Hindus for Human Rights|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Sudha Bharadwaj]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fatima|first=Nikhat|date=2021-12-10|title=IAMC, HfHR welcome release of Sudha Bharadwaj|url=http://twocircles.net/2021dec10/444346.html|access-date=2022-02-02|website=TwoCircles.net|language=en-US}}</ref> and the late [[Stan Swamy|Father Stan Swamy]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=A Prayer for Father Stan Swamy|url=https://www.hindusforhumanrights.org/en/blog/a-prayer-for-father-stan-swamy|access-date=2022-02-02|website=Hindus for Human Rights|language=en-US}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://m.thewire.in/article/religion/hindus-human-rights-hate-hindutva-violence-statement|title=Time to 'Break Collective Silence and Speak out Against Hate', Say Hindu Orgs, Leaders|website=The Wire}}</ref>

Hindus for Human Rights has a UK organisation, started in 2023 by Rajiv Sinha.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-05-06 |title=HfHR UK |url=https://www.hindusforhumanrights.org/en/unitedkingdom |access-date=2026-05-08 |website=Hindus for Human Rights |language=en-US}}</ref> Respected activists, academics, and figures were among the attendees of their launch event in London.<ref>{{Cite web |last=India |first=Clarion |date=2023-10-26 |title=Hindus for Human Rights Launched in UK |url=https://clarionindia.net/hindus-for-human-rights-launched-in-uk/ |access-date=2026-05-08 |website=Clarion India |language=en-US}}</ref>

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. Hindus for Human Rights 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 ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:2019 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Civic and political organizations of the United States]]
[[Category:Hindu organizations based in the United States]]
[[Category:Human rights organizations based in the United States]]

Hindus for Human Rights - Revision history

DougHuonDeKermad at 17:07, 8 May 2026