ICC Note: Indian Christians fear the growing influence of radical Hindu nationalists in India. This past weekend, some of these Hindu nationalists attended the 2018 World Hindu Congress in Chicago where a vision for the Hindu diaspora helping India maintain its Hindu identity was espoused. As the vision for a “Hindu-only” India continues to be perpetuated, many Christians in India fear persecution will only increase.

09/10/2018 India (MNN) – Hindu leaders and delegates from all over the globe convened in Chicago, Illinois for the 2018 World Hindu Congress from September 7-9. At first glance, the event seemed like a peaceful gathering of influential Hindus. However, there were several concerning messages below the surface.

Organizers for the event included the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) of America, an organization classified as a “militant religious outfit” by the Central Intelligence Agency. Leaders of the VHP have called for violence against religious minorities in India, and members have even carried out extremist attacks in defense of Hindu nationalist ideals.

According to News India Times, conference convener Abhaya Asthana stated, “When people hear the word Hindu conference they think it’s a spiritual conference. There will be no spiritual discourses…. The aim is to use the essence of Hindu philosophy, dharma, to inform how we come together (in the diaspora) as men, women, and youth — in politics, education, and commerce.”

The concept of Hindus living in the diaspora is a dangerous one. To have a diaspora, one must believe there is a rightful homeland for your group.

Hindu nationalists claim India is their homeland, and as such, all non-Hindus ought to be driven out or forced to convert. In 2010, 94 percent of the world’s Hindus lived in India.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have further advanced these Hindu nationalist ideals — or Hindutva. BJP leaders have announced their goal to make India a “Hindu Rashtra” (Hindu nation) by 2024.

…

For interviews with William Stark, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].