US academic conference on ‘Dismantling Global Hindutva’ targeted by Hindu groups days before event
Indian speakers at conference receive threat emails, gets trolled on Twitter
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, writes to Home Minister Shah demanding action against Indian participants
Boston, US: The first American academic conference on ‘Dismantling Global Hindutva’ is being widely targeted by right-wing activists in India and elsewhere. The three-day conference is scheduled to take place from September 10-12.
Cosponsored by departments and centers of more than 53 universities, most of them from the US, including Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton, the “Dismantling Global Hindutva” conference will discuss various issues relating to the Hindu supremacist ideology in India and elsewhere, an Al-Jazeera report stated.
Various panels on global Hindutva, caste oppression, Islamophobia, and the persecution of minorities in India, will be held during the conference and will feature more than 25 academicians, activists, and journalists as speakers.
Over the past three weeks, the organizers and speakers of the conference have been on a receiving end of harassment and intimidation by various Hindu right-wing groups and individuals staunchly opposing the conference, calling it a “Hinduphobic gathering”.
The organizers insist the conference only aims to discuss the global implications of Hindutva and develop resources for an anti-Hindutva pedagogy in the academy, the Al-Jazeera report further stated.
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, a far-right group whose members are accused of assassinating journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh in 2017, also wrote to India’s Union Home Minister Amit Shah, calling on him to take action against India-based speakers and participants of the conference.
Nandani Sundar, who is set to take part in the conference as a speaker said she has been receiving hateful emails and was trolled on Twitter.
“This is what Hindutva groups have been doing in India – shutting down seminars by threatening the organizers, physical disruption, etc. Now they are doing the same thing globally,” Sundar was quoted as saying by Al-Jazeera.
Over the past three weeks, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), the Coalition of Hindus in North America (CoHNA), and the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) claim to have collectively sent more than 1.3 million emails to dozens of universities to withdraw their support for the conference.
David Ludden, professor of history at New York University, one of the co-sponsoring schools, acknowledged receiving thousands of emails but says his department will not back out.
“Administrators did receive emails claiming that the conference represents an anti-Hindu ideology. They reached out to me and I explained that this is an academic conference aimed at expanding the production of knowledge about Hindutva, including a critical analysis of its claim to represent Hindus, Hinduism, and Indian culture,” Ludden was quoted by Al Jazeera.
“The campaign against the conference is meant to both shut down the conference and send a clear signal to all critics of Hindutva,” conference organizers told Al Jazeera in an emailed statement.
Last week, more than 50 South Asian diaspora organizations, 937 academics from across the world, including scholars of genocide and mass violence, issued a statement in support of the conference and called for an end to the Hindu right-wing attacks on academic freedom.
“The campaign of intimidation carried out by Hindutva affiliates cannot be allowed to take root in the academy in the US, Europe, or around the world. Free speech must be protected,” said the statement.
Dr. Audrey Truschke, Associate Professor of South Asian history at Rutgers University-Newark wrote a detailed thread on Twitter about the whole situation.
“We are watching as right-wing Hindu American groups harass, intimidate, and endanger academics, including students. What you're doing is beyond unacceptable. It is unethical, hate-mongering, and very, very dangerous. Stop. Now.” She wrote in one of her tweets from the thread.
She also explained how groups should react to the rise of Hindutva who are promoting intolerance in the name of Hinduism.
We are watching as right-wing Hindu American groups harass, intimidate, and endanger academics, including students.
— Dr. Audrey Truschke (@AudreyTruschke) September 5, 2021
What you're doing is beyond unacceptable. It is unethical, hate mongering, and very, very dangerous. Stop. Now. #Hindutva
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Passing out parade held at IMA Dehradun, 491 young officers join Indian Army
Dehradun(PTI): After undergoing rigorous training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, 491 cadets participated in a grand Passing Out Parade on Saturday and will now be commissioned as officers in the Indian Army.
The spectacular parade, held at the historic Drill Square in front of the academy's Chatwood Building, was reviewed by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who served as the reviewing officer.
Along with 491 Indian cadets, 34 foreign cadets from 14 friendly countries also participated in the Autumn Term 2025 Passing Out Parade.
A total of 525 officer cadets from the 157th Regular Course, 46th Technical Entry Scheme, 140th Technical Graduate Course, 55th Special Commissioned Officers Course, and Territorial Army Online Entrance Exam 2023 Course participated in the Passing Out Parade.
The 'Sword of Honour' and gold medal for securing first place during training was awarded to ACA Nishkal Dwivedi, the silver medal to BUO Badal Yadav for second place, and the bronze medal to SUO Kamaljeet Singh for third place.
The silver medal for securing first place in the 'Technical Graduate Course' was awarded to Officer Cadet Jadhav Sujit Sampat, and the silver medal for first place in the 'Technical Entry Scheme-46' was awarded to WCC Abhinav Mehrotra.
The silver medal for the 'Special Commission Officer Course' was given to Officer Cadet Sunil Kumar Chhetri.
Among the foreign cadets, the first place in merit was secured by JUO Mohammad Safin Ashraf from Bangladesh. The Army Chief's Banner for overall best performance in the Autumn Term was awarded to Imphal Company.
As the parade concluded, helicopters showered flowers on the newly commissioned officers from the sky.
On this occasion, General Dwivedi congratulated the new officers in his address for successfully completing their training. He praised the young officers for their high level of discipline, leadership qualities, and endurance, and urged them to uphold the glorious traditions of the Indian Army and serve the nation with loyalty, commitment, and honour.
General Dwivedi said that joining the army marks the beginning of a lifelong duty and selfless service.
The parents and guardians of the newly commissioned officers were also present during the passing out parade.
