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Anti-Hindu, “Caste Activism” Org Equality Labs Calls Mahakumbh Mela ‘Islamophobic’ In Ramadan Greeting

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In what looks like a newsletter sent to subscribers and patrons, Equality Labs has blatantly tried to propagate Hinduphobia in a very overt manner. The newsletter screenshot that is being shared on social media platforms calls the Mahakumbha Mela “Islamophobic“.

The newsletter reads, “Ramadan Kareem. During this special month of Ramadan, Equality Labs proudly recommits to standing alongside our Muslim kin in the fight for collective liberation. During trying times such as these, showing solidarity for Muslims-caste-oppressed, South Asian, Palestinian, queer, and beyond-means actively battling real- world threats like Islamophobia, casteist hate speech, and misinformation. Undoing the intergenerational harms caused by this insidious, targeted violence is an ongoing reality for many religious minorities across the world. Recent incidents like the surge in online and offline hate against Muslims during the Mahakumbh Mela, one of the largest and most sacred gatherings in Hinduism, indicate that anti-Muslim rhetoric is spreading. It is becoming even more critical to raise awareness of the uniqueness of the Muslim identity as well as the daily struggles that coincide with it. But even in the face of great adversity, our communities have each other. Our shared spaces are growing Muslim political power and cultivating grassroots defense-from Know Your Rights primers, to critical digital security resources and inclusive community Iftars, we are keeping ourselves safe and grounded as the political spectrum rapidly fluctuates. We hope this special month can bring about hope, reflection, and renewal. Ramadan Kareem to all those who observe. We stand with you, now and always.”

It is perplexing to understand the connection between Ramzan and Kumbhamela unless one has prior knowledge of Equality Labs – propagating anti-Hindu and anti-India rhetoric in the American space.

Who Is Equality Labs?

Equality Labs claims to advocate for the rights of Dalits and marginalized communities. The organisation was founded by Thenmozhi Soundararajan.

Image Source: Disinfo Lab

OFMI (Organization for Minorities in India) has formed alliances with other anti-India organizations, including Hindu for Human Rights (HfHR) and the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC). Together, these groups established the Alliance for Justice and Accountability (AJA). This coalition aligns with recommendations made by Pakistan’s Senate, which advocated for the creation of NGO fronts to lobby against India. Among the prominent organizations that emerged from this effort are Hindu for Human Rights and Equality Labs, both of which maintain close ties to IAMC and ICNA (Islamic Circle of North America).

Image Source: Disinfo LabIn 2016, Equality Labs joined this alliance. Founded by US-based Dalit activist Thenmozhi Soundararajan and Bangladeshi Muslim activist Sharmin Hossain, Equality Labs has received funding from controversial sources such as George Soros and Pakistan’s ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence). The organization gained notoriety for publishing a caste report that has been widely used to propagate a caste-based narrative against India.

Image Source: Disinfo Lab

Notably, Huma Dar, a Pakistani citizen with direct links to the Pakistani Army, serves on the board of Equality Labs. Her involvement further underscores the organization’s connections to entities with vested interests in undermining India’s global image.

Equality Labs has been linked to Pannun’s SFJ and other pro-Khalistani elements. On 22 May 2019, Thenmozhi Soundararajan hosted an event in collaboration with Pannun’s SFJ, a group that openly supports Pakistan-sponsored terrorism targeting India. This collaboration further strengthens the suspicions about the pro-Khalistani leanings of Equality Labs and its founder. In fact, Soundararajan’s Equality Labs is said to also have been associated with Bhajan Singh Bhinder (alias Iqbal Choudhry), a notorious operative of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), who has been involved with Khalistani terrorist activities for over three decades.

The attack at that time on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco was allegedly instigated by Khalistani groups. Notably, pro-Khalistani individuals, including Soundararajan, were linked to the Khalistani movement since Soundararajan had shared a stage with Pannun at an event held at the Allan P. Kirby Center for Constitutional Studies and Statesmanship in Washington, DC. The event occurred on the same day as the Lok Sabha 2019 election results were announced, amplifying the significance of this connection.

Equality Labs also has been accused of exacerbating anti-Hindu hate through its caste-based Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training programs. According to a study by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) and Rutgers University, Equality Labs’ training materials have been found to promote dehumanizing rhetoric, particularly against Brahmins. Participants exposed to these materials were more likely to use derogatory terms like “parasites,” “virus,” or “devil personified” when referring to Brahmins.

The study also revealed that these trainings increased participants’ likelihood of perceiving bias and harm in situations where none existed, fostering racial suspicion and anti-Hindu sentiment. The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has criticized these programs for worsening discrimination rather than mitigating caste bias as intended.

In 2020, Equality Labs played a significant role in the high-profile Cisco caste discrimination case. The organization, which claims to fight caste-based discrimination, was instrumental in pushing allegations against Cisco engineers Sundar Iyer and Ramana Kompella, accusing them of caste-based discrimination against a Dalit employee, John Doe. Equality Labs supported the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) in its lawsuit against Cisco, which was later dismissed due to lack of evidence.

Equality Labs has been criticized for promoting divisive narratives and anti-Hindu rhetoric, including making controversial comparisons and pushing for caste-based legislation like SB403 in California. Their involvement in the Cisco case, along with their training programs, has been accused of exacerbating anti-Hindu sentiment and fostering division rather than addressing discrimination. Despite the case’s dismissal, Equality Labs continued to advocate for caste-based policies, while media outlets aligned with their agenda failed to report the exoneration of Iyer and Kompella, highlighting their biased approach.

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