CoHNA Critical Of Rutgers Panel On Hindutva, Says It Was One-Sided

India-West Staff Reporter

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) has sharply criticized Rutgers University for hosting a panel titled ‘Hindutva in America: A Threat to Equality and Religious Pluralism,’ calling the discussion one-sided and dismissive of practicing Hindu perspectives.

The panel, was organized by the Rutgers Center for Security, Race, and Rights and co-sponsored by Global Asia and the Rutgers Anti-Caste Collective on October 28.

CoHNA in  a press release said the panel failed to include practicing Hindus or voices that could offer balance saying, “The absence of Hindu voices was glaring and deeply concerning.” CoHNA warned that such discussions risk normalizing prejudice against Hindu Americans. The coalition added that questions raised by Hindu attendees were reportedly ignored, and that the panel did not address a rise in anti-Hindu incidents in the United States.

The group also said it was wrong to link US Hindu organizations to Indian political parties.

Outside the Alexander Library venue, Hindu students from the Coalition of Young American Hindus held a protest, holding signs reading “Stop Hindu Hate.”

The controversy drew national attention even before the event, with CoHNA’s campaign generating over 10,000 emails to Rutgers officials and 4,000 messages to state and federal lawmakers urging reconsideration. Four members of Congress, Representatives Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Rich McCormick (R-GA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), and Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (D-GA), sent a joint letter to Rutgers President William F. Tate IV, pointing out that the panel and its underlying report could contribute to prejudice against Hindu Americans.