We are deeply disappointed to see that on October 1st, 2022, the Hindu American Foundation and other Hindu organizations will be hosting a public event featuring the general secretary of the RSS, the world’s largest paramilitary organization.

Founded in India in 1925, the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) is a Hindu extremist organization inspired by Nazi Germany and Mussolini’s Italy, with a long history of promoting anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Christian violence. In 1939, RSS leader M.S. Golwalkar wrote: “To keep up the purity of its race and culture, Germany shocked the world by her purging of the country of the Semitic races—the Jews. Race pride at its highest has been manifested here .. a good lesson for us in Hindustan [India] to learn and profit by.”

The RSS has been banned by the Indian government three times in India’s history for inciting hate and mass violence. Just a few weeks ago, an RSS whistleblower revealed that the organization was involved in bombings across India, and planned to organize “hundreds” more in the early 2000s.

The RSS, and the hate and violence it represents, is not welcome here in America–or anywhere else. And yet, HAF and a number of Hindu American organizations have chosen to celebrate Hindu Heritage Month by platforming the leader of the world’s largest Hindu extremist organization. HAF has spoken out on numerous occasions in support of Mahatma Gandhi – why is it supporting an event with the RSS, whose member assassinated Gandhi in 1948?

In HAF’s own words:

• “HAF has absolutely no affiliation or ties to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.” (source)

• “HAF is not a ‘Hindu nationalist’ or ‘Hindu supremacist’ organization.” (source)

• “We reject any … accusations of spreading hatred or Islamophobia.” (source)

We are calling on the Hindu American Foundation to formally de-affiliate from this event, and to issue a public clarification of its relationships with right-wing extremist networks in India.

As Hindu Americans committed to peace and justice, we invite HAF to join us in raising our voices against all forms of bigotry and hatred in America and in India.