US-based Hindu organisation calls out genocidal violence against Muslims

US-based organisation Hindus for Human Rights has issued a statement calling Hindus across the world to break their silence over Hindutva-fuelled hate and violence against Muslims and other minorities in India. The statement said the time is long overdue to break the collective silence and speak out against genocidal violence.

Several Hindu organisations and religious leaders have signed the statement since then to express solidarity with the cause. The statement titled 'Standing with our Muslim siblings' was originally issued in The Indian Express.

Signatories pledged to speak against anti-Muslim words and actions, build and strengthen relationships, keep temples and homes open to all, and commit to teaching religious freedom. They also agreed to challenge the notions of religious nationalism, casteism, and hatred for people of other traditions.

The statement strongly criticises the increasing violence being carried out against Muslims in India in the name of Hinduism. It noted that "the chilling sight of saffron-clad sadhus, sadhvis, and swamis calling for genocidal violence against millions of Indian Muslims at the Haridwar Dharma Sansad cannot be ignored".

The organisation also drew attention to the trend of Hindu leaders in India and abroad openly embracing Hindutva. The statement defined Hindutva as a century-old political ideology that sees citizens of other faiths as inherently foreign, reported The Wire. It added that Hindutva considers Muslims and other minorities to be not qualified to enjoy the full benefits of Indian citizenship.

"The only way to break the cycles of religious violence across South Asia is to stand up for each other's right to thrive and live with dignity," read the statement.

The incident of the Bulli Bai app and Sulli Deals were also noted along with the ongoing hijab ban in Karnataka. The authors of the statement warned that whataboutery is not a solution. Many Hindutva leaders and followers cite the violence against Hindus in Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh to justify the violence against Indian Muslims.

Some organisations from India - Aryasamaj Mandir (Amritpuri, New Delhi), Bhaktiversity (Delhi), Global Naitik Shiksha Kendra (Delhi/Mathura), Matri Sadan Ashram (Haridwar, India), and Sarva Dharma Sadbhav Trust (Ayodhya) - also joined the signatories.