Inside This Newsletter

HINDU AMERICANS DISCUSS HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY CONCERNS WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

HAF OUTRAGED BY TERRORIST ATTACK IN NEW DELHI DURING HINDU FESTIVAL

HAF EXPRESSES DISTRESS AT THE MURDER OF A HINDU PRIEST IN BANGLADESH

HAF PROTESTS DISCRIMINATION AGAINST AMERICAN BORN HINDU IN INDIA
 

The HAF web site had experienced technical difficulties regarding our online contact system, membership system, and donation system.  Many of those issues have now been resolved.  Please visit us once more at www.hinduamericanfoundation.org .

Hindu Americans Discuss Human Rights and Religious Liberty Concerns with Members of Congress and Justice Department

Date: October 30, 2005

Washington, D.C.: The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) ended its two-day second annual Government Outreach and Leadership Conference on October 27, 2005. The conference included meetings with several members of Congress, the Justice Department and a dinner reception on Capitol Hill on the evening of October 26.

The morning prior to legislative meetings, attendees of the conference caucused at a breakfast meeting to discuss a "Hindu Agenda" that encompassed issues of concern to Hindu Americans. This agenda included violations of Hindu human rights in South Asia, religious liberty and pluralism in the United States, and promotion of closer relations between the United States and India, and served as the basis for discussion for the many meetings with members of Congress and the Department of Justice. On October 27, HAF became the first Hindu organization to hold a Round Table Conference where members of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans were invited to discuss these issues in greater depth.

“Once again, Hindu Americans descended on the Capitol to represent the Hindu perspective on issues of national importance," said Nikhil Joshi, Esq., Chairman of the conference and member of the HAF Board of Directors. "With these meetings becoming an annual event, we are pleased that our impact, influence and recognition continue to increase."

Recognizing their support for HAF's previously released Hindu human rights report of 2004, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Gary Ackerman (D-NY) were presented awards for service to the Hindu American community at the HAF dinner reception. Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) also addressed the reception, explaining his long-standing ties to Indian Americans and Hindus in his district.

Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, who hosted HAF's reception and the Round Table Conference, spoke of her support for Hindus in the United States and for human rights in South Asia during an address at the HAF reception.

"I am proud to be associated with such a dynamic organization as the Hindu American Foundation," she said. Ros-Lehtinen drew cheers from the audience as she announced her plans to introduce two resolutions in the House of Representatives. “One of these resolutions will recognize the religious and historical significance of the Hindu holiday of Diwali. The second resolution would condemn ongoing violations of the human rights of Hindu citizens of Bangladesh, Pakistan and India," she said.

HAF leaders also focused efforts on countering allegations made during recent hearings on discrimination faced by underprivileged castes, or Dalits, in India, held by Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ). Caste-based discrimination is a social evil that must not be conflated with Hinduism, HAF members held during their meetings. They specifically raised concerns that the witnesses that spoke at the hearings were affiliated with radical left-wing groups and the Communist Party of India.

“We explained to Members of Congress that we as Hindu-Americans are united in supporting efforts to rid all forms of discrimination, including caste-based discrimination in South Asia,” said Rajan Patel, coordinator of the HAF conference and member of the HAF Executive Council. “But when hearings are held under the auspices of the U.S. government, it is of critical importance that witnesses have credibility and legitimacy. We cannot allow individuals with virulent anti-American and anti-Hindu agendas to discredit these important hearings.”

For further information: Please contact HAF.
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HAF Outraged by Terrorist Attack in New Delhi During Hindu Festival

Date: October 30, 2005

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) expressed deep distress at the murder of a Hindu priest, Gopal Chandra Barman, 60, in the Narsingdi District of Bangladesh on October 18, 2005. The priest of the Kali Mandir at Shibpur was found murdered, and the dead body traced in a river three days after he was kidnapped on October 18, “The Daily Ittefaq” reported on October 24. It was also reported that the deity in the temple, worth about ten million taka, is missing.

“This latest incident in the decades-old saga of repression of religious minorities in Bangladesh should be condemned, and the local authorities should be asked to quickly account for this crime”, said Ramesh Rao, Ph.D., executive council member of the Hindu American Foundation.

In its recently released annual report on human rights of Hindus in South Asia in 2004, HAF observed that over 400 attacks against Hindus were reported in Bangladesh in 2004, including murder, rape, kidnapping, temple destruction and physical intimidation. Hindus who comprised nearly 30 percent of the Bangladesh/East Pakistan population in 1947, now constitute less than ten percent of Bangladesh’s population.

“In recent years, the growth of Islamic fundamentalism has led to the further marginalization of minorities in Bangladesh,” said Dr. Rao. “Hindus, as the largest minority group, bear the brunt of terrorism and intimidation, and government apathy and abetment.”

For further information: Please contact HAF.
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HAF Expresses Distress at the Murder of a Hindu Priest in Bangladesh

Date: November 7, 2005

TAMPA, FL - The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) expressed deep distress at the murder of a Hindu priest, Gopal Chandra Barman, 60, in the Narsingdi District of Bangladesh on October 18, 2005. The priest of the Kali Mandir at Shibpur was found murdered, and the dead body traced in a river three days after he was kidnapped on October 18, “The Daily Ittefaq” reported on October 24. It was also reported that the deity in the temple, worth about ten million taka, is missing.

“This latest incident in the decades-old saga of repression of religious minorities in Bangladesh should be condemned, and the local authorities should be asked to quickly account for this crime”, said Ramesh Rao, Ph.D., executive council member of the Hindu American Foundation.

In its recently released annual report on human rights of Hindus in South Asia in 2004, HAF observed that over 400 attacks against Hindus were reported in Bangladesh in 2004, including murder, rape, kidnapping, temple destruction and physical intimidation. Hindus who comprised nearly 30 percent of the Bangladesh/East Pakistan population in 1947, now constitute less than ten percent of Bangladesh’s population.

“In recent years, the growth of Islamic fundamentalism has led to the further marginalization of minorities in Bangladesh,” said Dr. Rao. “Hindus, as the largest minority group, bear the brunt of terrorism and intimidation, and government apathy and abetment.”

For further information: Please contact HAF.
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HAF Protests Discrimination Against American Born Hindu in India

Date: November 7, 2005

TAMPA, FL – The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) protested the denial of entry of Pamela K. Fleig, a practicing Hindu of United States origin, into the 11^th century Lingaraj temple of Bhubaneswar in the Indian state of Orissa.  Fleig, 22, had officially converted to Hinduism at the Arya Samaj in Varanasi prior to her marriage with Anil Kumar Yadav of Uttar Pradesh, India.  However, when the couple attempted to enter the Lingaraj temple, priests did not allow Fleig to enter, claiming that she was a non-Hindu and a foreigner.

“The blatant discrimination against Hindus of non-Indian ethnicities is a social evil akin to caste-based discrimination” said Pawan Deshpande, member of the Hindu American Foundation Executive Council.  “Hinduism is a global religion with adherents from all nationalities and ethnicities, and this episode illustrates that the need for social reforms in a small segment of Hindu society is urgent.”

Following the incident, Fleig and her husband filed a complaint with the local police authorities.  The police have registered cases under section 341, 354 (outraging modesty), 323 (assault) and 506 of the Indian Penal Code and are currently investigating the incident.  Fleig also stated that she would take up the matter with the U.S. Embassy.

“We hope that the priests will reverse their erroneous actions and ensure that Ms. Fleig is granted full access to Hindu places of worship,” said Aseem Shukla M.D., member of the HAF Board of Directors.  “We believe that the multitude of laws that already exist in India to prohibit caste, race and sex based discrimination must be implemented and enforced immediately—and violators must face serious consequences to the full extent of those laws.”

For further information: Please contact HAF.
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