Four US lawmakers raise concern over Rutgers University’s upcoming event titled ‘Hindutva in America’

Four US lawmakers have written to Rutgers University expressing concern over its upcoming ‘Hindutva in America’ event, describing it as politically driven and potentially discriminatory against Hindu students.

In the letter addressed to the president of Rutgers University, the lawmakers wrote,“We are writing regarding an upcoming Rutgers Centre for Security, Race and Rights event titled Hindutva in America: A Threat to Equality and Religious Pluralism. The event, scheduled for October 27, 2025, is based on a recent publication: Hindutva in America: An Ethnonationalist Threat to Equality and Religious Pluralism.”

“We strongly support efforts to address discrimination and prejudice facing all communities, and, as members of Congress, we are committed to combating hateful forces and promoting freedom of speech and expression, including on college campuses. However, we are concerned that the report and upcoming event misrepresent a diverse and peaceful religious community and will have impacts on Hindus on college campuses and around the country. We are also especially concerned by the report’s references to specific Hindu community organisations in the United States.”

The letter further mentioned, “This report suggests that certain US-based Hindu organisations are aligned with foreign political agendas or seek to suppress opposing voices, and that ‘law enforcement, politicians, and civil society groups should cease partnership with US-based Hindu nationalist groups.’ We share your concern about nationalist discourse in America, but are concerned about the implications of conflating religious based organisations with nationalist groups.”

Moreover, this report comes at a time when Hindu Americans, along with other minority communities, are facing growing threats and violence. This year alone, there have been several instances of violence targeting Hindu temples. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Indiana and the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Utah have both been targeted by acts of hate and vandalism. In this climate, we are concerned that the rhetoric of the report may fuel further prejudice, particularly impacting Hindu students on college campuses who may feel unfairly targeted or unsafe.

“Hinduism, like many religions, is rooted in pluralism and inclusivity, and it is vital that academic institutions present fact based discussions that sufficiently distinguish extremist ideologies from the beliefs of individuals and the mission of religious organisations,” the letter read.

US-based Hindu advocacy organisation CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) thanked lawmakers Suhas Subramanyam, Shri Thanedar, Rich McCornick and Sanford Bishop for “speaking up for Hindu students who may feel unfairly targeted or unsafe–something that is highly plausible when their powerful tenured professors sponsor one-sided, biased events that target their faith and paint them as extremists who need to be investigated by the US government.”