Ummeed – Aasha – Hope!
As we enter the new year, it is important to remind ourselves that there is hope against bigotry and sectarian violence. But it is only natural to ask – where is hope? Afterall, bigoted talk and actions continue and very often with no consequence for the perpetrators. In countries like India, the state is directly promoting sectarian hate. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom[1] in its 2022 Annual Report has urged the US government to designate India as a “country of particular concern” – for the third time in a row. The US government has not taken the advice.
This is highly problematic as a stance or even a statement by the US government carries heavy weight. By not recognizing the severity of the situation in India, the US government is doing a huge disservice to democracy. India is the largest democracy in the world and its decline into a fascist oligarchy - a supremacist style leadership which works only for a select few business interests – is a loss not only for India but for all those who believe in democracy.
However, many people and organizations are working hard to expose the crisis in India and how it connects with the larger world. In countries as diverse as Australia, the UK and the US, activists are putting pressure on governments to take firm action against the rise of hate in India. To give one example, after flyers seeking funds to destroy churches in India were distributed in Frisco, Texas, an activist called on the city council to stand against such hateful activities.
The activist who gave the speech in Frisco’s city council is Pieter Friedrich. Pieter is the author of several books on the rise of Hindutva, including India at a Crossroads: Hindu Nationalist Efforts to Eradicate Christianity. I had the chance to speak with Pieter recently on why he – as a person from the US of European descent – chose to devote much of his life to the struggle for human rights in India. His answer – that he was raised to oppose hate wherever it rears its head – is one that should inspire us all.
Like Pieter Friedrich, there are many brave people whose actions should give us hope and inspire us to keep working for peace in whatever capacity we can. Remember Peace Vigil’s motto – Peace Needs All of Us.
As a peace educator, my gift to you for 2023 is 12 inspirational interviews conducted by Peace Vigil. I hope that they will give you hope – ummeed – aasha. In the very simple but profound words of Desmond Tutu, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”
Wishing you a beautiful 2023,
Shirin
Co-director, Peace Vigil
Peace Vigil works on peace education
Peace Needs All of Us
Links of 12 inspirational interviews
1. Pieter Friederich – Why Americans should worry about Hindutva: https://youtu.be/zv4fDvIBS6o
2. Anand Patwardhan – How films can fight hate: https://youtu.be/T0oTUCR0Js8
3. Prabhat Patnaik – Neo Fascism and economics: https://youtu.be/EG146ZiQFXE
4. Rabbi Gerry Serotta – Importance of Interfaith: https://youtu.be/BioKAft4vTc
5. Ravish Kumar – A journalist’s duty (Hindi): https://youtu.be/JytTqv2CZms
6. Rasigan Maharajh – Is race real?: https://youtu.be/RZ1kT2HssUg
7. Vipin Tripathi – History of non-violent resistance: https://youtu.be/gYH_P42OLyg
8. Harbans Mukhia – The hope of Indian historiography: https://youtu.be/mGL_OOyZ9xg
9. John Dayal – What is Indian secularism?: https://youtu.be/CIFFS6YaOdA
10. Dr. Sylvia Karpagam – The health aspects of meat bans in Modi's India: https://youtu.be/lSYJ73QawEA
11. Dr. Ram Puniyani – Hindutva, peace and propaganda: https://youtu.be/U1MOBlbtixA
12. Vijay Prashad – Colonialism and Hindutva: https://youtu.be/aLwcxNDSo7w
[1] The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government agency created by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), as amended.
USCIRF monitors the universal right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) abroad; makes policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress; and tracks the implementation of these recommendations.
