Sunita Viswanath
@SunitaSunitaV
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Cofounder @Hindus4HR, Abaad, @SadhanaHindus; @Amprog’s 21 “Faith Leaders to Watch” 2021; Obama White House “Champion of Change” 2011. [email protected]
New York
Joined August 2015
I’m feeling terribly depressed this morning as my community and family share over-the-top celebrations and venerations of the inauguration (by Modi, in the priest role) of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. With no thought given to the mosque that was razed on that site 32 years ago.
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I #StandWithKukiWomen Survivors of Rape. #BirenResign #ShameonModi.#ManipurViolence #PeaceNow .@Hindus4HR @SAsiaSolidarity
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Proud of the students of #ColumbiaUniversity. What a role model for my 16 year old! .#DivestNow.#ceasefireInGazaNOW
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@narendramodi These words don’t mean anything unless India stops abstaining from UN resolutions against Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine; and unless .India stops sending arms and laborers to Israel as a show of support for their war on Palestine. #WalkTheTalk.
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There is no conclusive evidence that a Hindu temple stood below the Babri Masjid. And even if there were, it would not have justified the barbaric and criminal act of destroying a 500 year old mosque. There are better ways of reckoning with the past and making peace. #NotInMyName.
Let's break free from biased headlines and false narratives and embrace the historical context that's often ignored!. #hinduamerican #rammandir #india #hinduism #temple #sanatanadharma #breakingnews
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At least we don’t accept 5- and 6-figure checks from Hindutva megadonors like the Bhutadas, the Uberoi Foundation, and the Aggarwal and Gupta Family Foundation who also bankroll the VHP-A and other Hindu supremacist groups!. At least we don’t spend our supporters’ hard earned
Remember: groups like H4HR don't actually represent Hindu Americans. They represent non-Hindu billionaire funders who prop them up. H4HR is funded with more than a quarter million dollars in 2022 from the Tides Foundation--a leftist, progressive fund built by tobacco money.
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Salil, thanks for your friendship and solidarity. 💜.
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Happy #IndianElectionDay to my #1 fan @smritiirani! Now you’re out of a job maybe you can ask George Soros for one!
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Last night as we marched down 5th Ave, I was thinking: THIS is how a Hindu of conscience observes #Deepavali. By speaking the Truth. By doing her Dharma. By bringing, being the Light in the face of evil. And at that moment, the setting Sun blessed our march! 🌇🪔🕉️
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I am one of the 100+ South Asian Americans raising my voice against Hindutva and Zionism and their hateful and violent nexus.
I join 100+ South Asians to raise concerns about the role of white supremacy, Hindu supremacy & Zionism in elections. Indian American candidates must not align with Hindu supremacy, be silent on Palestine, or endorse divisive policies. Read full statement
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I traveled to South India last month, and I write in @TIME about some of brave anti caste faith leaders I met, who are resisting Hindutva with everything they’ve got! .
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“Shame on you @HinduAmerican for such twisted lies even in your defeat. The footnote states that my statement is "plausibly verifiably false" - ie that it could conceivably be proved wrong. You turned it into "verifiably false," removing the word "plausibly" entirely.”.
Court found that Viswanath's allegation that HAF has "parent organisations" in India is "verifiably false," thus confirming that HAF has no existential ties to Indian orgs! Court also found that Truschke made "verifiably false" claims relating to HAF Board member @rajiv_pandit.
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I’m in this video of the protest of #HowdyModi. I’m still here three years later fighting Hindutva. And today we won the SLAPP lawsuit @HinduAmerican leveled against us a year ago simply because we fight Hindutva bravely. Hindus of conscience, join us at
Remembering, over three years ago in Houston, when we raised chants of "#AdiosModi" at protest against #HowdyModi event intermixed with chants of "#Modi, Modi, you can't hide, you committed genocide." #Nostaligia
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I won’t learn about Hinduism and caste from a group that believes and advocates that fighting caste discrimination is anti-Hindu. That’s like saying fighting racism is anti-white.
Methinks someone should take @HinduAmerican's 101 before publishing one. A) caste is not varna. Varna are archetypes. B) If hierarchy and not the shared divinity of Existence is what Purusha Sukta “justifies,” do tell us O wise one, what is higher in next verse? The sun or.
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@AymanMSNBC @FerozeSidhwa The world needs to mobilize for justice in Palestine. Palestine needs the world. This is the worst of identity politics.
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Was alarmed to read an article in Sacramento Bee detailing efforts by @HinduAmerican and @CoHNAOfficial to encourage increased “monitoring” of the Sikh community by law enforcement; and to plant harmful messages in the press suggesting connections between Gurdwaras and organised.
NEW: @sikh_coalition, @JakaraMovement, @SALDEF, and the American Sikh Caucus Committee have issued a joint statement in response to details included in a comprehensive recent piece from @sacbee_news:
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Devastated that @GavinNewsom vetoed #SB403 and let down the batallion of Americans who fought to #EndCasteDiscrimination in California. A dark day for justice in the United States. Rest assured that anti-caste Americans will dust ourselves off and continue the fight.
Dear @GavinNewsom. It's time to sign #SB403. It's common sense civil rights legislation that will protect everyone from discrimination. Signing it will show that California is a leader in protecting human rights.
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Drinking in this book like ice water on a scorcher of a day, like oxygen on a walk in high altitude. Thank you @RevDrBarber for your massive heart that extends to all the poor, and your vision of “moral fusion” across divisions of identity.
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I am encouraged that there are many others who are equally despondent. For instance, the wonderful Suranya Aiyer has begun a fast as her protest of this event.
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Earlier tonight my husband and I were among the thousands of protesters outside the @nytimes HQ in Manhattan. #Shame on you @nytimes for printing biased and lopsided news and fueling a genocide. #CeasefireInGazaNOW
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Friends, especially Hindu friends, the Purusha Sukta chapter of the Rig Veda and the Manu Smriti absolutely justify a hierarchical caste system. To say otherwise is just dishonest. Any anti-caste Hindu has to contend with this fact. And if anyone has a problem with the idea that.
You know what $1 million of @TidesCommunity dark money can’t buy? Fresh ideas or knowledge. Here they are copying HAF’s popular #Hinduism101 program and use the same name!. But this excerpt shows some appalling ignorance—if you think the Purusha Sukta justifies a “caste”
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I was very impressed that the @Progs4Harris zoom call today included leaders of the #Uncommitted movement.
"I’m sure there are those, like me, who have not endorsed VP @KamalaHarris as we wait to learn more about her policy. we also know there is a massive threat looming with a second Trump term. I’m here to say both of these positions are valid and we can hold both at the same time.
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@thomaschattwill Listen to the whole thing he says. Not just the last bit taken out of context.
🗣️ Here’s the whole @Trevornoah and @TaNehisiCoats clip . a lot of it was left out. Here, he brilliantly flips the script using her “you exist in the context” thing.
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@VP You don’t get to talk about protection of civilians when you’re enabling them being burned alive — right now — in Gaza. Outside a HOSPITAL. The only thing we want from you is a #ceasefire and an #armsembargonow.
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While @HinduAmerican retained an expensive law firm, all five of the activists they sued had pro-bono counsel. I am very grateful to Thomas Sullivan and Joseph Slaughter of @BallardSpahrLLP for standing with me and Raju. Here is a press release from @AudreyTruschke ‘s counsel:.
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Brooklyn Rally Today for Gaza!.“From #BayRidge to #Gaza.Globalize the #Intifada”.#DontStopTalkingAboutPalestine.#CeasefireInGazaNOW 🕊️🇵🇸💕
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@keithellison They actually care for the poor! .And they want an immediate ceasefire and arms embargo.
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Met brave progressive desi student leaders at @oberlincollege who are building awareness on campus of the harmful linkage between #Hindutva and #Zionism.
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#Muslim New Yorkers have pulled their float in tomorrow’s #IndiaDayParade. This shows just how hurtful and divisive @VHPANews’s Ram Mandir float is. In fierce solidarity with Muslim community, as a Hindu of conscience, I boycott the parade tomorrow. 💗🇮🇳🪔.Any true celebration.
Amidst the firestorm of controversy over the inclusion in an NYC India Day parade of a float replicating the Ram temple, which was built on the ruins of the Babri mosque after it was destroyed by a Hindu nationalist mob, the only float featured by Indian Muslims is canceled.
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By saying it was proven that we lied, you are misrepresenting a federal court judge: bad show for an attorney! Judge didn’t say our statements were verifiably false. He used legal language of "plausibly," meaning they could theoretically be proven false or true. Huge difference!.
If you want to fight a foreign political battle, go to India and fight it, but leave us the hell alone. We've got important work to do to serve the needs of actual #HinduAmericans--in this country. Shame on you for leaving HAF no choice but to sue to prove that you lied.
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We’re on our way to #Albany!#NotOnOurDime Act (S6992A/A6943A) Lobby Day which would make it illegal for NYS registered charities to fund Israeli war crimes. @MichaelIlanLoeb @ZohranKMamdani .Representing @Hindus4HR 🪔 and @jvplive 🕊️
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Interfaith Hindu-Sikh prayer by @InterfaithMan at #DNC. Tahil wore a keffiyeh in solidarity with Palestine. 🪔🕊️🇵🇸
Incredibly proud of my friend and @SadhanaHindus colleague Tahil Sharma, @InterfaithMan, for bringing Hindu and Sikh prayers to the #DNC and wearing a keffiyeh to express his love and solidarity with Palestine. 🪔.
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The few voices of reason, unity and love are hard to locate in the din of feverish chest-thumping that passes for faith these days. However, these voices are our only hope. Here is a press release from @Hindus4HR which gathers some voices of love:
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**The judge did not say I lied.** He merely stated what types of statements could be verified and what cannot be verified since they are opinion. HAF is engaging in baldfaced and shameless mischaracterisation of the ruling. Bottom line: @HinduAmerican lost. Truth won!.
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@RepGraceMeng How can this be your position when our bombs have killed 33,000 people and a famine is underway that might kill hundreds of thousands more? Where is your heart?.
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So happy this brave Indian hero got a week with his family and with @banojyotsna. May this new year bring him freedom and justice. Shame on India for imprisoning a brilliant young Indian whose only crime is his love for his country and for humanity. #FreeUmarKhalid.
Umar Khalid surrendered to Tihar today after interim bail of 7 days to attend cousin's marriage. Look at his brave smile. This regime could not take this away from him.
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@FareedZakaria It’s you who must be lonely and alienated. The college encampments are beautiful expressions of intentional community. I was at the Columbia encampment today, and saw kids running around, meals being shared, people dancing, praying, studying—together!.
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#FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners in #India immediately! 🕊️⚖️.@aakashibhatt @sanjivbhatt @UmarKhalidJNU @banojyotsna
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Details of the framing of Indian hero, whistleblower and political prisoner @sanjivbhatt, from his wife Shweta Sanjiv Bhatt. In complete solidarity with Shweta, Sanjiv and @aakashibhatt. By your side till justice is done. #FreeSanjivBhatt.#FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners.
Post - (1/2) . This is Shweta Sanjiv Bhatt, . In an absolute travesty of justice, once again a politically motivated and blatantly vitiated trial was conducted in the lower sessions court Palanpur in a 28 year old case of 1996 … A case which was stayed by the Supreme Court in.
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Visiting @TuftsUniversity with my son. Met the brave students at the Tufts #LiberationZone demanding university divestment from Israel. They told me that their encampment is inspired by the Columbia and other university protests, and their focus is 100% liberation of Palestine.
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And here is a brave and thoughtful piece by a young renunciant in India, Swami Raghvendra. Translation below:
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Pls support the only Hindu advocacy organization fighting #Hindutva hatred and #caste discrimination head on. 2024 is going to be a year for the history books, with momentous elections, and no doubt, increased attacks on HfHR! **We need you!**. 🙏🏾Www.hindusforhumanrights/donate.
We've accomplished so much this year and we're looking forward to all we can do together in the new year! Check out the incredible things we did in 2023 below, and join us in 2024 to fight for peace, justice, and truth: ⬇️ #YearInReview
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Profoundly moving and painful to arrive here in Palestine on Lord Krishna’s birthday. Praying for peace. 🪔Jai Shri Krishna🪔.My #Janmashtami prayer in @thewire_in.
As Hindus the world over observe #Janmashtami and meditate on the significance of the life of Shri Krishna, we must ask ourselves how we feel about the genocide that #Israel has been waging against the people of #Gaza for ten months, with no end in sight.
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@suchitrav The thing is, we live and work and pay taxes to the country that’s funding the war. Supplying the bombs. It’s horrifying.
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As their Hindu sister, I echo and affirm @sikh_coalition's statement of solidarity with the Hindu community at large:. "Americans and Hindu Americans are not at odds with one another. There are numerous shared values upon which we ought to be able to agree. Do we, as Americans,.
The Sikh Coalition will not stand by as harmful rhetoric about our gurdwarae and unfounded claims about our community continue to circulate unchecked. Read our further reflections on the conversation around the @sacbee_news's recent reporting →
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The @IndianExpress, @thewire_in, @NavbharatTimes and now the Sindh Courier has published @Hindus4HR's anti-hate statement signed by Hindu religious leaders around the world. Please share with any Hindu priest/ess, swami/ni, pandit/a you know.
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Today I made a pilgrimage to the holy land of the “#liberatedzone” at @Columbia to share a #Hindu prayer as part of a multi-faith service. Moved by the immense power and clarity of the students, beautiful namaaz among the tents, the peaceful atmosphere with kids running around.
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Israel has attacked Jenin in the northern West Bank today. 9 Palestinians killed. A Palestinian farmer was killed and 2 injured yesterday by settlers in a town south east of Bethlehem. Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir wants to build a synagogue at Al Aqsa
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As a devotee of Lord Rama, I see the inclusion of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir — built on the site of a medieval mosque that was destroyed in 1992 by a Hindu supremacist mob — in the #NYC India Day Parade, as an act of hate and Islamophobia. My Rama would never want his temple built on.
Explainer: Why the Planned Inclusion of a Ram Mandir Float by Far-Right Hindu Groups in the India Day Parade is hateful? IAMC's Associate Media Director, Safa Ahmed Explains
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Honored to be included alongside so many pro-democracy friends and colleagues. @BhargaviKulka10 writes in @AmericanKahani: “Indian Americans Are Cautious About Modi’s Third Term; His Critics See a Strong Message Against Hindutva”.
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Twitter friends, if you see the importance of my voice and that of @Hindus4HR, please send us a 4th birthday present. Our work can’t happen without support. Thank you!.
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#FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners.Celebrating @GautamNavlakha’s release but outrageous and unacceptable that he was in jail for FOUR years, for no crime at all, with no evidence. Citizens of my beloved #India, please vote out such blatant authoritarianism. #SaveIndiaFromBJP.
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If you are a @narendramodi supporter you need to ask yourself why he hasn’t visited #Manipur when it has been a site of dire conflict since May. Does this atrocity perpetrated against women in Manipur not break your heart? #SpeakUp PLEASE 💔.
You cannot cannot read this report without feeling helpless and devastated. The two women were seized by the mob from police custody. Read that again. From police custody. The mob of 800-1,000 persons carried sophisticated weapons like AK Rifles, SLR, INSAS and .303 Rifles”
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Nerisha and I, from @Hindus4HR, were part of this action led by @jvplive. We — as humans, as mothers, as Americans, as Hindus, and as people of Indian origin — cannot be silent as we see videos of children and patients on IVs screaming as they are burned alive due to OUR bombs.
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As a child of 70s and 80s London, I grew up on #PinkFloyd. So to be on a webinar with @rogerwaters for #Palestine is just mind-blowing. Mr. Waters just brought me to tears by reading out Article 1 of the #UniversalDeclarationofHumanRights. Watch:
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Well said @poonamkachanddd. And if this speaks to you, please check out @Hindus4HR!.
If you are a true Hindu then you should be very worried and scared and repulsed by what Modi and his hindutva ideology has done to your religion. It’s still not too late to wrest it back from these people who have turned your religion into the most hateful ideology there is.
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I added a #Hindu call for #ceasefireInGazaNOW tonight in the largest peaceful resistance protest in NYC since the Iraq war. My husband Stephan and I are pictured here:
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📣 In #TimesSquare, #NYC NOW!.Protesting the political stunt masquerading as religion, weaponizing my faith, in #Ayodhya. #NotInMyName .#JaiSiyaRam
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This is so incredibly disingenuous. This article supports the Hindutva (Hindu supremacist) ideology which LITERALLY “blurs the distinction between Hindus and Indians.”.Whereas those of us fighting Hindutva remind the world that not all Indians are Hindu!
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Nitasha, absolutely horrified and saddened to hear about your ordeal. I stand by you in resolute solidarity. This is not the India we love.
IMPORTANT: Denied entry to #India for speaking on democratic & constitutional values. I was invited to a conference as esteemed delegate by Govt of #Karnataka (Congress-ruled state) but Centre refused me entry. All my documents were valid & current (UK passport & OCI). THREAD 1/n
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Formidable group of EIGHTY (‼️) #Rabbis4Ceasefire. Inspiring. Humbling. Beautiful. Thank you all. Especially Rabbi @AlissaShira! 💕.
80 rabbis & rabbinic students just released this video statement urging the larger Jewish community & U.S. politicians to call for #CeasefireNOW: no more bombing, no ground war, Israeli hostages released. (#Rabbis4Ceasefire full video in next tweet).
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Thanks Nity! #love and #solidarity.
BJP has trolls, bots and ministers to spread fake news against those who challenge their hate-filled campaigns to weaponise religion. I stand with @SunitaSunitaV .
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@harpreet4567 I can’t comment on non Hindu houses of worship, but the essence of Hindu faith is that we are all one before God. God’s home should be open to one and all.
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Excellent organizing call on South Asians and the 2024 election, thanks to @dviyer, @shivspeaks, @PatankarPrachi, @YashicaDutt and so many other progressive South Asian American organizers. Here is one of the action items from this effort. South Asians, please sign and give @VP a.
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I am so ashamed as an American. These are not democratic values. Stay strong @CASAforall ❣️.
Disturbing news from Maryland. @CASAforall is an important immigrant rights group that put out a statement & tweets in support of Palestine. Now @MDSenate is threatening to cut their funding. Speech by individuals & organizations must be protected.
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@cmkshama @DrJillStein @wrkrsstrikeback We have to be honest about Trump’s role as well. However duplicitous it might prove to be.
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Join us. Help us build a gorgeous Hindu resistance to hate. ❤️.
Our membership program is the first crucial step towards building a robust, grassroots movement of progressive Hindus and allies who are willing to stand up against hate & work together to build a just and liberated future for all. Become a member today
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Glorious #HanukkahforCeasefire prayer gathering last night. Was blessed to be in that beautiful crowd. Thank you @AlissaShira, #rabbisforceasefire, @jvpliveNY, @IfNotNowOrg, @JFREJNYC. 🕊️🕎🙏🏾.
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Was there!!!. We shut down all 6 lanes of the #ManhattanBridge with the call, the prayer, for #CeaseFireInGazaNOW — a #permanentceasefire!! . NYPD decided not to arrest so many people! We overwhelmed them!.
Breaking News - Happening Now! - Manhattan bridge shut down because of a protest for permanent ceasefire. #manhattanbridge #proHamas #protest #Gaza_bombing #ceasefire_permanent #antiIsrael #NYC
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My prayer for peace. 🙏🏾.
Hindus must come together in tidal waves of love resisting the hatred and violence of Hindutva, just like our Jewish siblings worldwide who are currently resisting the genocide being perpetrated in their name, writes @SunitaSunitaV. #World.
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Thanks to my dear friend Bill for standing up for the #KukiWomen of #Manipur. 💜🙏🏾.
Bill White, a friend and supporter of @Hindus4HR says: .I stand with #KukiWomen survivors of gang rape in #ManipurViolence ! .#BirenSingh Resign! .#AmitShah Resign! .#Modi Resign
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In this piece I resist the homogenization of Hindu traditions and practices, and stand with filmmaker @LeenaManimekali in the face of vile and violent threats and arrest warrants.
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My deep respects to Prof. VK Tripathi ji. So humbled by his tireless outreach and beautiful words to spread love. This was his message of deep concern about the way people are observing #RamNavami.
I saw this tweet and told my father “Papa, yeh dekhein kya tweet kiya hai IIT ke ex-director ne.” .My father, Prof VK Tripathi, physicist, retired IITD, said this.
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This made me happy! @Hindus4HR organised inclusive and beautiful #Diwali celebrations on both East and West coast last week. We are building the inclusive and anti-caste Hindu community we’ve been yearning. We’re going to really need each other during the coming years. Join us
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I am shocked that Darapuri ji was jailed on October 10th. I had the honor of visiting Darapuri ji in January 2020 at his home in Lucknow, along with colleague Giri and peace activist Sandeep Pandey. He had just been released then from jail for supporting anti CAA protests.
We call for the immediate release of SR Darapuri, a 79-year-old activist and former police officer, who was arrested for peacefully protesting against the Uttar Pradesh state government and demanding land for landless Dalit families.
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#London you keep outdoing yourself!.Over ***800,000*** marching for #CeasefireInGazaNOW . My ardent #Deepavali prayer:#CeasefireInGazaNOW❣️🪔 🙏.
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