Tomorrow's event: India's Future: where is the world's largest democracy heading? 7 March.
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From: info@hindusforhumanrights.org
Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2024, 20:00
Subject: HfHR Weekly Update: Women's History, India's Future, and a Night at the Movies
U
NEWSLETTER
The Newsletter
Women's History Month Highlight: Tarabai Shinde
In 1949, Simone de Beauvoir published The Second Sex, introducing the Western world to the double standards present in contemporary ideas of womanhood.
But did you know that over 50 years before that, feminist activist Tarabai Shinde was analyzing these very same issues in her work Stri Purush Tulana? This work was a groundbreaking criticism of patriarchy and the gender and caste system in 19th century India and is considered the first modern feminist Indian text.
"Let me ask you something, Gods! You are supposed to be omnipotent and freely accessible to all. You are said to be completely impartial. What does that mean? That you have never been known to be partial. But wasn't it you who created both men and women? Then why did you grant happiness only to men and brand women with nothing but agony? Your will was done! But poor women have had to suffer for it down the ages." -Tarabai Shinde, Stri Pulash Tulana
Friends of Democracy hosts Conversations on Indian Democracy
Join Friends of Democracy this upcoming Friday, March 8th, for the first installation of their new series, "Conversations on Indian Democracy". These fireside chats bring together academics with Indian politicians who are facing unique challenges amidst the upcoming 2024 elections. These elections will be the largest in the world, and already opposition leaders are facing financial, legal, and physical harassment, including investigations, blackmail, and even arrests. This series delves into these challenges, among others, and uncover the futures that India’s diverse political opposition envision.
Re
gister Here
Cornel West and Hindus for Human Rights
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n a recent discussion with political commentator Katie Halper; philosopher, activist, and 2024 Presidential candidate Cornel West highlighted the pivotal role of Hindus for Human Rights in the progressive anti-caste movement within Hinduism. To gain insight into Dr. West's perspective on this transformative wave in Hinduism, watch the clip here.
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Where is India, the World’s Largest Democracy, Headed?
As India gears up for the May elections, the prevailing sentiment suggests Narendra Modi’s reelection is imminent, reaffirming his statesmanship and aspirations for great-power status. However, beneath the surface lies a historic narrative of political and cultural pluralism being overshadowed by the populist majoritarian ideology.
This upcoming Thursday, March 7th, Reset Dialogues will host an online roundtable which aims to dissect the implications of Modi’s triumphalism, the erosion of India’s federal system, and how this will this impact India’s international aspirations.
Register Here
U.S. Drone Sale to India: Examining Human Rights Concerns and Foreign Policy Implications with Ria Chakrabarty
The announcement by the Biden administration on February 1 regarding its intent to sell 31 Armed MQ-9B Reaper Drones to India has sparked a significant debate concerning human rights and international relations. This decision is a crucial development in the ongoing US-India relationship.
HfHR's Policy Director, Ria Chakrabarty, participated in a detailed discussion that included concerns about the potential use of these advanced military drones by the Indian government and what that means for compliance with human rights law and the laws of war. India's current human rights record, marked by numerous reports and assessments from reputable organizations, underscores these concerns.
Watch the Congressional Hearing
HfHR ANZ at “The World is Family” Screening
Hindus for Human Rights members recently attended the Sydney screening of Anand Patwardhan’s documentary, The World is Family, as part of the Antenna documentary film festival. Devleena Ghosh of HfHR ANZ shared her thoughts on the film screening in a recent blog post.
Read Here
We're Hiring: Bay Area Organizer
Interested in human rights advocacy? Passionate about combating caste discrimination, Hindutva, and Islamophobia? Eager to make a positive change in your community, through coalition building and providing a progressive Hindu voice?
We are currently hiring a Bay Area Community Organizer. This part-time role will mobilize grassroots advocacy and campaigns in California, build relationships with South Asian American organisations, and cultivate the development of a Hindus for Human Rights chapter in the Bay Area.
Apply by Friday, March 22nd.
Apply Now
The Wire's fortnightly round-up features HfHR's recent Desh Videsh Conversation Series, which brought together Palestinian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and other panelists. This even highlighted parallels between Zionism and Hindutva including exclusionary dimensions, denial of equal rights to all citizens, and weaponization of accusations of antisemitism and Hinduphobia to silence dissent and criticism.
Read More
Hindus for Human Rights, in collaboration with a coalition of non-profits including IAMC, filed an IRS complaint against the Global Hindu Heritage Foundation for promoting hate and violence against religious minorities in India.
Learn More
ESSENTIAL READING
In a thought-provoking analysis, IAMC's Safa Ahmed delves into the complex intersections between Hindutva ideology, the American right, and the legacy of the Gujarat pogrom under Modi's leadership. Examining the alarming parallels between rising Hindu nationalism and conservative movements in the United States, the article navigates the entanglement of religious extremism, political power, and violence.
Read Article
Photo by Arushi Saini//Unsplash.
In Pakistan, a mob attacked a woman for wearing a dress with Arabic script on it, accusing her of blasphemy -- a charge that is punishable by death and an accusation that has led to multiple incidents of public lynching in Pakistan. The woman's life was spared, but she was had to make a public admission of guilt -- despite not doing anything wrong. Zahrah Mazhar writes for Dawn how women and minorities are under threat in Pakistan.
Read More
Last week marked the 20th anniversary of the Gujarat Pogroms. These events remind us of the devastating impact of communal violence and the importance of unity, justice, and healing. Let's take a moment to remember those who suffered, and reaffirm our commitment to peace and harmony in our diverse society. For a deeper understanding of the lasting impact of these events, we recommend reading this insightful article:
Read More on The Wire
In his engaging, intellectual, and powerful lecture, essayist Pankaj Mishra reflects on the paradoxical and ironic nature of Israel -- a state created from the horrors of the Holocaust falling into its own violent nationalist ideologies and carrying out a genocide against innocent Palestinians.
Additionally, he touches on the overlap between Hindu nationalism and Zionist rhetoric, and how both ideologies idolize an aggressive and toxic form of masculinity as strength.
Read the Full Text Here
Women's History Month: Honoring Kimberlé Crenshaw
Professor and civil rights activist Kimberlé Crenshaw is best known for her work on critical race theory, particularly her creation of the term 'intersectionality'.
Intersectionality is a term used to understand how our multiple identities intersect, overlap, and work together, often creating multiple layers of compounding disadvantage or inequality. Kimberlé first used the term 'intersectionality' to explain the experiences of Black women in the workforce; how their race and gender intersected to create unique problems only experienced by their combination of identities. As we move from Black History Month and into Women's History Month, take a moment to consider your intersecting identities. How do your race, gender, culture, ethnicity, sexuality, and socioeconomic status intersect and relate to one another? What experiences have occurred as a result of your intersecting identities? What groups have these identities given you access to, or denied you access from? Understanding our complex, unique identities and how they interact with our environment is the first step to creating the world we wish to see.
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The HfHR weekly digest serves as your weekly guide to progressive Hindu advocacy. Find things you can do to take action, articles to read, podcast episodes to listen to, and more!
*Note: Readings are curated from a diverse range of sources and do not necessarily represent the views of HfHR.
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