A law aimed at expressly prohibiting caste discrimination in California was overwhelmingly approved by the state’s Senate Judiciary Committee, despite heavy opposition from Indian-American individuals, business and religious organisations.
The measure, presented by State Senator Aisha Wahab, proposes to alter the Unruh Civil Rights Act’s anti-discrimination policy by including caste as a protected group.
This decision has sparked widespread outrage in the United States. To protest the proposed California Caste Bill SB 403, major Hindu and Indian companies and temples have issued a strong statement condemning it.
The signatories to this statement include:
– Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), the largest hotel owners association in the nation with 20,000 members who own 60% of the hotels in the United States, responsible for 1.7 per cent of the nation’s GDP.
– AASOA representing over 8300 store owners throughout the nation
– Hindu Mandir Executives’ Conference (HMEC) an umbrella organisation of Hindu temples in North America with the participation of 600 temples in its conferences
– Hindu Business Network (HBN)
– Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective (HinduPACT), an initiative of World Hindu Council of America (VHPA), the oldest and one of the largest Hindu organisation in the US
It is not the first-time anti-caste legislation is being passed in the US. On February, 2023 Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant, a member of the Trotskyist Socialist Alternative political party, succeeded in passing a bill adding the category of ‘caste’ to the city’s non-discrimination statute.
So, what is all the fuzz about? While Hindus are uniting in India, in abroad anti-Hindu forces are sowing discord among NRI community by raising false narrative about divisionary practices. And what is the result?
If we look in to the rising Hindumisia in the West and the pattern of so called ‘activists’ trying to divide Hindu community, one thing is clear, there are vested ‘activists’ with vested ‘funded’ interests sitting behind the wheel.
But, before we head in to the legislation itself which will legalise ethnic profiling of Hindus in US, it is important to understand the vested activists who are behind this anti-Hindu propaganda.
This includes anti-Hindu activist Thenmozhi Soundararajan.
Equity Labs And The Truth Behind Thenmozhi Soundararajan
Harking back to the horror of days of EVR, when venom was spewed on Hindus in Nazi style, Mrs. Soundararajan now imports this toxic EVR politics into dividing the Hindu community abroad. The anti-Hindu hate in the west fuelled by despicable activists is a threat that needs to be checked for the harmony of Hindu community.
Equality Labs, the brain behind the anti-caste discrimination resolution in Seattle, has been spearheading a nationwide campaign. Seattle became the first US city to outlaw caste discrimination in February. In the United States, Equity Labs founded by Thenmozhi Soundararajan an alleged Dalit and apparently converted to Christianity is notoriously known for pushing deeply orchestrated anti-Hindu and anti-India propaganda demonizing Hinduism.
South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow (SALT) and Equity Labs pushed anti-CAA protests which culminated in the 2020 Delhi riot. Other initiatives such as Students Against Hindutva, Holi Against Hindutva, and Stand with Kashmir are not just campaign hashtags but support violent Islamists and terrorists.
Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), an organization with links to Islamic terror groups is listed as one of the signatories on the website of Holi Against Hindutva (cleverly hidden among the various student groups).
Thenmozhi Soundararajan and equity labs has a history of displaying constant Hindumisia and spreading false information about Hinduism and cultivating anti-Hindu hate in the US.
For example, In April 2022, tech giant Google cancelled a talk by Thenmozhi Soundararajan, owing to the fear that it might create ‘division and rancour’ in the workplace. In another instance she joined White Supremacists in targeting Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal over his caste when he was newly appointed. They falsely assumed him to be Brahmin and targeted him over the same. Thenmozhi went to the extent of claiming that it is a tradition for “White cismen” to transfer power to “Brahmin cismen” in the Silicon Valley. Her allegations reek of caste hatred as Parag Agrawal was chosen solely based on his credentials. He has been a long-time employee at Twitter and had very good relations with Jack Dorsey himself. Even so, Thenmozhi Soundararajan made it appear as if caste had a major role to play in the decision.
Who can forget that back in 2018, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, had stoked a massive controversy when he held an anti-Brahmin placard that said ‘Smash Brahminical Patriarchy’, a poster designed by Thenmozhi Soundararajan. She not only regularly lambasts Hinduism regularly but also discredits Hindu beliefs, practices, and traditions.
Last year, anti-Brahmin activist Thenmozhi Soundararajan went on an unhinged tirade against the ancient Indian Hindu practice of Yoga. In a tweet, she claimed, “What does it mean to address the structural violence at the heart of yoga? I break the silence on the religious abuse that is at the heart of yoga and how healing begins with de-brahminising and decolonizing.”
The anti-Brahmin activist then went on to demonise Hindu beliefs of ‘Dharma’ and ‘Karma,’ based on her skewed understanding of the concepts. She then whitewashed the gory history of the Islamic invasion and Christian evangelism by suggesting that forceful conversions to Abrahamic Faiths were in fact the fallout of Brahmanism in India.
California Caste Bill SB 403
Hindus in US are protesting the bill. Vipul Patel, president of Asian American Shop Owners Association (AASOA), said the bill is based on the fabricated narrative of caste discrimination in America. In order to have a clear understanding we need to understand how this specific legislation reeks of Hindumisia.
The bill presents a convoluted and broad definition of “caste.” The definition of “caste” in this bill makes every person of the Indian subcontinent, and businesses run by them suspect of discrimination, including those who practice vegetarianism!
The bill perpetuates the colonial narrative of “caste,” introduced by the Portuguese and promoted by British colonialists. It will lead to harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence against Hindus. The promoters of the “caste” narrative have malevolent intentions, as demonstrated by their public statements.
One statement, for example, says, “Hindus are sick people of India, it is their religious books who train the mind.”
This bill is built on unsubstantiated data and an unproven court case. It also makes ugly and unsubstantiated claims about South Asians engaging in harassment, bias, wage theft and caste discrimination in various sectors.
SB-403, not only maligns the Hindus but treats them in a manner different from every other racial and ethnic group as a matter of policy.
Apart from the vague definition of caste, the bill also launches an invasion of privacy against the Hindus. It problematizes associational marriages and marriage preferences of South Asians, as a result implementation and enforcement of SB-403 may require intrusive questions about marriage and socializing preferences.
There are an estimated 3.2 million Hindu Americans of Indian origin in the US and in this atmosphere of Hindumisia in the US, none of their lives seems to be safe at this moment.
Apart from this there are ample evidences that this legislation is being crafted solely to target Hindus in the US subjecting them to racial profiling. As per studies, discrimination on the basis of caste are extremely rare.
Half of Indian Americans surveyed in this study reported alleged discrimination, the basis of discrimination reported was mainly colour (30%), gender (18%), religion (18%) and national origin (1%).
Only 5% of those surveyed reported encountering alleged discrimination based on caste, with almost half of those respondents reporting the perpetrator of the alleged discrimination being of non-Indian origin, indicating that caste may have been conflated with some other factor or basis.
Most Hindu respondents (53%) do not identify with any caste group at all. Within the group that does identify with a caste, there is a significantly lower number of U.S.-born Hindu Indian Americans who identify with a caste group (34%) versus those that are foreign-born (53%), which may indicate that caste identification becomes increasingly less relevant with every generation. The study and the findings make us question the intention behind the springing up of anti-caste legislation.
Is it an attempt by vested activists and Left-Liberal cancel culture cannibals to demonize Hinduism? Or is it a master plan to divide and sow discord within NRI community in the US? Whatever the truth is, Hindu community in the US is putting up brave resistance against the propaganda against Sanatana Dharma.
Rising Hindumisia In The West
Hindumisia or anti-Hindu hatred have a tragically long history which continues to this day across the globe. They are fuelled by a range of factors, including religious intolerance, religious exclusivism, a lack of religious literacy, misrepresentation in the media, academic bias still rooted in oftentimes racist, colonial-era mis portrayals and, in the diaspora, generalised anti-immigrant xenophobia and hatred.
This has been professed by colonisers of the Indian subcontinent in form of control over temple wealth and enactment of acts such as Lex Loci Act, 1850 which was one of the root causes for 1857 first war of Indian Independence.
Presently, this is being done in Islamic countries and western nations which are being ignored by mainstream media. In Pakistan for example, 1,000 girls between the ages of 12-25 from minorities are forcibly converted to Islam every year and married to their abductors, which described the situation as a “human-rights catastrophe” and in Bangladesh, these incidents are being considered as a part of daily life for Hindus.
For example, a mob of 200 perpetrators desecrated ISKON temple in Dhaka which was part of incidents targeting Hindu’s in Bangladesh and surprisingly this incident happened on March 17th, 2022 which came right after the United Nations (UN) declared March 15th, 2022 as International Day to combat Islamophobia. India had risen to this occasion and rightly questioned the existing bias during the passage of the UN resolution.
During the passage, India along with France explained ‘Vote of concern’ stating that combatting the hatred against one specific religion was being elevated to an international day for the first time. In fact, this also marked the instance where in atrocities against other religions, specifically, non-Abrahamic religions are being ignored. The political ambivalence to concerns of Hindu community is also an issue in the West. Recent attacks and the lack of credible condemnation against vandalization of Hindu temples in Australia, vandalization of temples in Canada, anti-Hindu violence in the UK and general violence against Hindu’s in the Subcontinent speaks volumes on this issue.
The US, leader of human rights enforcing its ambit via military measures across the world had never recognized slaughter of Hindu Bangladeshis during 1971 war but US administration was happy to recognise Armenian genocide by Turkey which fits their propaganda of being human rights champions perfectly.
The violence against Hindus and scathing attacks in the form of discriminatory legislation in western nations are resulting in a wave of anti-Hindu climate fuelled by ‘paid’ activists spreading misinformation about Hindu culture and traditions. It is high time that these so called ‘progressive regions’ of the world acknowledge rampant anti-Hindu hate crimes and take measures against it instead discriminating against the victim, which are the Hindus themselves.
In short, the SB 403 is a dangerous anti-Hindu racist and casteist legislation which has the potential to victimize the so-called ‘victims’ themselves who are asking for it today.
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YSRCP Abusing Superstar Rajinikanth For Praising CBN Shows Jagan Is Jittered
Tamil Nadu’s pride “Thalaivar” Rajinikanth, an Indian superstar who has fans traversing boundaries has often alluded to admiration, respect and reverence for the late Telugu superstar and multi talented man of many achievements, Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (popularly NTR).
NTR Sr. (not to be confused with NTR Jr, his grandson and current Telugu actor) was a larger-than-life figure for the general public in the united Andhra Pradesh state as well as the people that interacted with him within the Telugu, Tamil and Hindi film Industries and from political parties through out India. He was a successful, prolific actor, director, politician and chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, who set new records in Tollywood and in the world of Indian politics.
In the realm of Indian cinema, he is still remembered and revered for the sheer number of films based on the Hindu epics and ancient texts which were hugely popular in the Telugu states. The Hindi film and television industry borrowed plenty of ideas from NTR’s extensively researched, well executed, elaborately made movies based on characters and stories from the various Hindu texts. He starred in over three hundred films, received three National Film Awards and a Padmashree award.
In the shady, unpredictable world of Indian politics, he openly challenged a stalwart like Indira Gandhi, built a brand new political party from scratch within a few weeks and single handedly defeated Indira’s Congress party in the united A.P within a year of the new party’s creation. Such an accomplishment was unheard of, in modern Indian political history. The Congress party’s defeat was so massive and thorough that it caused Indira Gandhi and her party, major embarrassment at both the state and national level. NTR’s formation of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and its dramatic, historic win at the party’s very first state elections, causing a crushing, humiliating defeat to the Congress party is legendary and is a
note-worthy chapter written into Indian text books for Political Science students.
As a human being from a humble background, he stole people’s hearts with his determination and grit, his hard work, his honest dealings, his equal treatment of all people involved, his genuine concern for the struggles of the common man and his reputation as a man who kept his word, a man that unfailingly helped people under all circumstances.
It is out of respect for the memory of the much admired N T Rama Rao that the Tamil superstar, a favorite with the Telugu audiences too, agreed to attend a ceremony to mark NTR’s birth centenary celebrations in Vijayawada.
One of NTR’s son-in-laws, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and current TDP leader, N Chandrababu Naidu had invited Rajnikant to grace the occasion of NTR’s birth centenary celebrations.
The event to mark and celebrate NTR’s achievements took place on April 28 2023 at Vijayawada’s Poranki locality. It was a star studded event with hordes of common people and celebrities from various fields coming together to honour a modern-day legend of the Telugu states. Apart from the impressive guest list and thousands of people thronging the event, there was added excitement around the announcement of the Central Mint of India’s decision to unveil a special coin with the Sr NTR imprinted on it, marking the centenary celebrations of the iconic actor – a significant gesture by the Government of India, honoring and showcasing the people’s immense love and respect for NTR.
By all accounts, Rajnikant’s interactions and conversations with members of the NTR family and on the public dias, steered clear of controversial comments of any type. As is natural for all dignitaries that accept an invitation to participate/ speak at a commemorative event, Rajnikant talked of the admirable qualities of NTR that both common people, leaders and actors like himself, admired and respected. He spoke from the heart and sounded sincere when he talked of NTR’s traits, strengths, beliefs, his values and principles that made him a great man, endearing him to millions of fans and admirers. Rajnikant stayed away from any controversial remarks and certainly did not get into aspects of NTR’s entry and success in the field of politics.
He remarked on the foresight and vision of the TDP leader, Chandrababu Naidu in terms of his previously envisioned and successfully implemented plans for the growth and development of Hyderabad city and his futuristic vision for the current bifurcated/ residual state of Andhra Pradesh. While he spoke about Naidu’s well known, praise-worthy efforts in inviting major IT, technical and financial companies to Hyderabad city in the 1990s which turned it into a competitive metropolitan destination for business and employment he stayed away from commenting on other political parties, leaders or the incumbent YSRCP party.
The YSRCP and its leaders, already steeped in a bad reputation for unnecessary interference and inappropriate remarks on everything that happens in A.P including religious and non-political events, over stepped their boundaries yet again. Among the unnecessary and disrespectful comments were those made by Telugu-Tamil actor, YSCRP MLA and State Tourism Minister R.K Roja, who took objection to Rajnikant’s positive comments for TDP leader, Chandrababu Naidu. She indicated sarcastically that Rajnikant was an actor who was not well versed with the politics of A.P and Telangana. She also tried denying Chandrababu Naidu’s widely acknowledged role in the economic development of Hyderabad city when it was the capital of the larger, united Andhra Pradesh.
Another YSR Congress Party MLA, Kodali Venkateshwar Rao (a.k.a Kodali Nani) remarked that Rajnikant may be a hero in Tamil Nadu but he is a “zero” in A.P especially after his positive comments for Naidu. Kodali Nani, known for his acerbic, objectionable, often vulgar comments on opposition leaders, also alluded to the age and health of Rajnikant when he mentioned that the actor shoots for three days but requires hospital care for six days. Another YSRCP leader and Water Resources Minister, Ambati Rambabu labelled Rajinikanth a “coward”, mentioning the actor’s intention to enter into Tamil Nadu politics but lacking the courage to implement his political plans.
Fans of Rajnikanth from both Tamil Nadu and the Telugu states are now demanding disciplinary action on YSRCP leaders from C M Jagan Reddy, for their unnecessary, rude remarks on Rajnikant especially when the much loved, veteran actor had carefully avoided any comments on the YSRCP or the current political climate in A.P. They are strongly questioning the YSRCP for its aggressive stand on Rajnikant’s personal views on former CM, Naidu and demanding to know if anybody in Andhra has the constitutionally guaranteed right to freely express their personal opinions on someone or something, without offending others. Many people questioned the law & order situation in the state and the dictatorial attitude of Jagan Reddy and his YSRCP leaders.
With Naidu trying to extend a fig leaf to the BJP to join the NDA, Rajinikant’s comments will make Jagan Reddy sweat in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections.
YSRCP leaders abusing Rajinikant for appreciating Chandra Babu Naidu shows that Jagan Reddy is jittered.