The HinduVote project, spearheaded by HinduPACT under the World Hindu Council of America (VHPA), has launched its American Hindu Agenda for the 2024 elections. This initiative is set to influence the political landscape, aiming to address key legislative priorities and policy goals that resonate with the American Hindu community. The agenda, designed to empower Hindu voters and ensure their concerns are heard, focuses on a range of critical issues, from combatting Hinduphobia to advocating for stronger US-India relations.
A core aspect of the agenda is the fight against Hinduphobia, a growing concern within the American Hindu community. HinduVote is advocating for legislative measures to curb anti-Hindu rhetoric. This includes a proposal to cut funding for academic institutions that are seen as promoting Hinduphobic sentiments. By doing so, the agenda aims to foster an environment of respect and tolerance for Hindu culture and religion in the United States.
Another significant element of the agenda is the protection of Hindu temples, which have increasingly become targets of vandalism. The agenda calls for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to conduct investigations into the causes behind these attacks on Hindu temples and statues of Mahatma Gandhi across the country. By addressing this issue, HinduVote hopes to safeguard places of worship and cultural symbols that hold deep significance for the Hindu community.
The repatriation of stolen Hindu artifacts is also a top priority for HinduVote. The agenda proposes new legislation that would ensure the return of cultural treasures, such as statues and religious artifacts, that have been taken from their original homes in India and other countries. These items are currently held in museums and private collections in the US. The agenda emphasizes that returning these artifacts is crucial for preserving Hindu cultural heritage.
On the international front, the agenda underscores the need for a robust US-India relationship. HinduVote advocates for non-interference in India’s internal matters, recognizing the importance of respecting the sovereignty of nations. The agenda also calls for the inclusion of Hindu representatives in key US faith-based organizations, such as the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). According to HinduVote, having Hindu voices in such agencies would ensure fair representation and a deeper understanding of issues that affect Hindus worldwide.
Immigration reform is another major focus of the American Hindu Agenda. The initiative seeks to remove country-specific caps on H1B visas, which currently limit opportunities for skilled workers from countries like India. It also calls for expedited green card processing for highly skilled immigrants, ensuring that talented individuals can contribute to the US economy without facing unnecessary delays. Additionally, the agenda includes protections for children on H4B visas, who risk deportation as they age out of their dependent status. These changes, according to HinduVote, would benefit both the Hindu community and the broader American workforce.
Human rights advocacy is central to the agenda, particularly concerning religious minorities in countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. HinduVote is pushing for accountability in these nations regarding human rights violations, specifically targeting religious theocracies. The agenda proposes that US aid to these countries should be contingent on their implementation of meaningful reforms. This approach aligns with the broader goal of promoting global human rights and ensuring the safety and dignity of religious minorities.
In the realms of education and employment, the American Hindu Agenda champions fairness and meritocracy. HinduVote supports merit-based educational opportunities and backs the recent Supreme Court decision in the Fair Admissions vs. Harvard case. This ruling, which addressed issues of racial discrimination in college admissions, aligns with the agenda’s goal of ensuring equal opportunities for all students, regardless of race or ethnicity. On environmental matters, the agenda promotes policies that encourage sustainable development, reflecting the Hindu principle of caring for the Earth.
Alongside the American Hindu Agenda, HinduPACT has produced two detailed guides to assist the Hindu community in navigating the election process. The first is a 36-page guide aimed at 501(c)(3) organizations, such as temples and community groups. This resource offers guidance on election-related activities that are permissible under federal law, ensuring that these organizations can engage in civic life without compromising their tax-exempt status. By encouraging civic engagement, HinduVote hopes to empower the Hindu community to play an active role in the political process.
The second guide is a 24-page document designed specifically for Hindu voters. It provides practical information on how to participate in the upcoming elections, offering advice on registering to vote, understanding the issues at stake, and making informed decisions at the ballot box. Both guides are available on the hinduvote.org website, making them easily accessible to anyone seeking to engage with the 2024 elections from a Hindu perspective.
As part of its outreach efforts, HinduPACT has also distributed a comprehensive questionnaire to approximately 1,000 candidates running for the US House of Representatives and Senate. This questionnaire is aligned with the American Hindu Agenda and seeks to inform voters about where candidates stand on key issues affecting the Hindu community. The responses will help voters make educated decisions when choosing their representatives.
Speaking about the initiative, Deepa Karthik, executive director of the HinduVote project, said, “The HinduVote initiative and the American Hindu Agenda for 2024 mark a new chapter for our community’s civic engagement. We are empowering Hindu voters with the resources and information they need to make informed decisions and encouraging political candidates to take a clear stance on issues that matter to the Hindu community.” Karthik’s statement reflects the broader goal of HinduVote: to give the Hindu community a stronger voice in American politics and ensure their concerns are addressed by political leaders.
Deepti Mahajan, co-convenor of HinduPACT, highlighted the important role that temples can play in fostering civic engagement. “We hope that our temples become centers of the broader community around them. Our Elections Guide for Temples and Organizations provides these organizations with clear guidelines on election-related activities they can engage in to fulfill this important role in society,” she stated. By encouraging temples to take a more active role in civic life, HinduVote aims to strengthen the community’s presence in the political sphere.
Ajay Shah, president of VHPA and co-convenor of HinduPACT, emphasized the contributions of American Hindus to society. “American Hindus have made tremendous contributions to our nation across all spheres of life. This agenda is not only aimed at ensuring the safety and security of the community but also addresses issues that will benefit all Americans, not just Hindus,” he remarked. Shah’s statement underscores the inclusive nature of the agenda, which seeks to create a better society for all by addressing issues that impact both the Hindu community and the broader American public.
By presenting a well-rounded set of legislative priorities and policy goals, the American Hindu Agenda for 2024 offers a clear roadmap for empowering the Hindu community and promoting their interests within the American political landscape. Through initiatives like this, HinduVote hopes to ensure that Hindu voices are heard and that their concerns are addressed in the upcoming elections.