Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 11h

Umar Khalid told a Delhi court this week what so many already know: the real crime in today’s India is conscience.

For speaking of peace & equality, Khalid has spent over 5 yrs in prison under draconian anti-terror laws while those who incited violence walk free.

www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...

www.thehindu.com

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Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 19h

“Reading and writing kept my spirit unbroken.”

Scholar, activist, and HfHR Advisory Board member Anand Teltumbde—jailed in the Bhima Koregaon case—reflects on how 179 books read in prison kept his intellect and courage alive.
frontline.thehindu.com/books/anand-...

#FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners

35% turnout in Haryana civic polls till 4 p.m.

Voting underway for mayors and ward members in Haryana municipal corporations, with extensive security arrangements in place.

www.thehindu.com

Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 1d

Exploiting Dalit & Adivasi workers in the name of religion is not devotion—it’s violence.
The DOJ may have closed its probe into BAPS, but justice for the workers who built the Robbinsville temple must not end here.
@thewire_in: m.thewire.in/article/righ...

#Caste #HumanRights

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Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 1d

100 years ago, the RSS was banned for ties to Gandhi’s assassin.
Today, its ideology dominates India’s politics and culture — from government to Bollywood.
@NPR traces the century-long rise of Hindu nationalism: www.npr.org/2025/10/08/n...

A Hindu nationalist movement celebrates 100 years. Now what?

A Hindu nationalist group celebrates its centenary amid a remarkable trajectory: Once banned for its association with Gandhi's killer, a former follower now leads India.

www.npr.org

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Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 1d

Oct 14 marks Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din—the day Dr. Ambedkar & his followers embraced Buddhism, igniting a new era of equality & human rights in India.
This year, it coincides with Ashoka Vijaya Dashami.
🕊️ May the Dhamma wheel keep turning.
#JaiBhim #NamoBuddhaya #SocialJustice

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Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 2d

Know your rights at work! Join @SALDEF on Oct 15, 8PM ET / 5PM PT for a bilingual (English & Punjabi) webinar on H-1B visa changes, ICE visits, & worker protections.
RSVP: www.saldef.org/kyr

#WorkersRights #Immigration #H1B

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Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 2d

After 43 years wrongfully imprisoned, Subramanyam “Subu” Vedam walked free—only to be detained by ICE moments later.

A lifetime stolen once by the state, now threatened again by deportation.
Justice demands mercy.
Read more: www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...

www.miamiherald.com

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Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 3d

Hindus for Human Rights stands with Indigenous nations whose courage keeps truth alive.

#IndigenousPeoplesDay is not a symbolic gesture—it’s a moral stance. Even as Trump revives Columbus myths, we honor those who never stopped resisting erasure.

The future is Indigenous. 🌎

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Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 4d

This week we sent an open letter to Governor DeSantis urging the suspension of Palm Bay Councilman Chandler Langevin over anti-Indian remarks—and a public apology + corrective plan. Read & share www.hindusforhumanrights.org/en/blog/open...

Open Letter to Gov. DeSantis on Anti-Indian Remarks: Suspend Palm Bay Councilman — Hindus for Human Rights

Hindus for Human Rights urges Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to suspend Palm Bay Councilman Chandler Langevin over anti-Indian remarks and to require a public apology and corrective plan.

www.hindusforhumanrights.org

Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 5d

As the world welcomes news of a Gaza peace agreement Indian faith leaders—part of our #VigilForOctober7th—echo the call for humanity & non-violence.
Peace is sacred work.

As World Hails Gaza Peace Breakthrough, Indian Faith Leaders Amplify Global Call for Humanity and Non-Violence www.telanganatrends.com

Hyderabad: In a landmark development, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a Gaza peace plan,

telanganatrends.com

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Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 5d

In @ThePrintIndia’s deep dive on the Indian diaspora’s role in US-India relations, our Deputy Executive Director Sravya Tadepalli speaks powerfully and at length about what real advocacy looks like — rooted in rights, not nationalism.
Read here 👇 theprint.in/feature/has-...

Has the diaspora really gone quiet amid India-US rift? They’re setting boundaries

Shashi Tharoor criticised the silence of Indian-Americans, but advocacy groups say they’re working on issues that affect both countries, from immigration to H1-B. ‘Sometimes, there is alignment.’

theprint.in

Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 6d

We’re watching the news with our hearts in our mouths. May this ceasefire in Gaza hold—may food and medicine pour in, children dance again, hostages return, and peace take root with justice and accountability.
Om Shanti.
www.hindusforhumanrights.org/vigil-for-oc...

Vigil for October 7th — Hindus for Human Rights

www.hindusforhumanrights.org

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Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 6d

This weekend our Western Regional Organizer addressed the Ambedkar King Study Circle's annual conference on Forging Diasporic Unity in Fremont, CA on Saturday! It was an impressive gathering of local and national activists, and it was great to see HfHR members in attendance! @akscsfba.

Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 6d

Big news: our Deputy Executive Director @SravyaTadepalli has been named one of @InterfaithAm’s 2025–26 Interfaith Innovation Fellows!

Her project will help build interfaith bridges between South Asian faith communities across the U.S.
www.interfaithamerica.org/article/2025...

Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 7d

Big news: our Deputy Executive Director @SravyaTadepalli has been named one of @InterfaithAm’s 2025–26 Interfaith Innovation Fellows!

Her project will help build interfaith bridges between South Asian faith communities across the U.S.

www.interfaithamerica.org/article/2025...

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Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 8d

🕊️ LIVE NOW
Join Hindus for Human Rights for a sacred hour of chanting, silence, and reflection — Chanting for Peace, Chanting for Gaza.

Led by Pandit Raja Bhattar (Samadarshini, HfHR)
Opening reflection by Rasha Abdel Latif, Amnesty International USA

📺 Watch live: youtube.com/@HindusForHu...

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Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 8d

Today we hold Gaza in prayer and chant
11 AM ET — Chanting for Peace with Pandit Raja Bhattar & Rasha Abdel Latif
📺 youtube.com/@HindusForHumanRights

Join our Vigil for October 7, diverse testimonies of grief and solidarity from across the world
🕯️ hindusforhumanrights.org/vigil-for-october-7th

Hindus for Human Rights

We advocate for pluralism, civil and human rights in South Asia and North America, rooted in the values of our faith: peace, justice, and truth.

youtube.com

Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 9d

The livestream includes:
11 AM ET – Introduction & Context
11:03 – Reflection by Rasha Abdel Latif
11:05 – 66 Seconds of Silence (for 66,000+ lives lost)
🎶 11:07–12:06 – Chanting for Peace led by Pandit Raja Bhattar
Watch live:https://buff.ly/jOnOOly

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Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 9d

We’ll also hear from Rasha Abdel Latif, Director of MENA and Civil Society Strengthening at PartnersGlobal, recently appointed to the Board of Directors of Amnesty International USA

She brings a deeply grounded Palestinian perspective on justice, dignity, and survival.

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Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 9d

Led by Pandit Raja Bhattar, priest and steering member of Samadarshini—HfHR’s new faith-based initiative envisioning a Hinduism that sees all as equal.

For one sacred hour, Raja ji will lead chants for peace and remembrance.
#Ahimsa #HumanDignity

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Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 9d

Tomorrow, Oct 7 at 11 AM ET, join Hindus for Human Rights for a livestream of chanting, silence, and reflection:
🕉️ Chanting for Peace — Chanting for Gaza
📺 buff.ly/ckEofpQ
#Ahimsa #Peace #InterfaithSolidarity

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Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 9d

Join us in a sacred hour of chanting and reflection for peace.
Led by Pandit Raja Bhattar of Samadarshini (HfHR) with opening words from Rasha Abdel Latif.
11 AM ET | Live: buff.ly/jOnOOly
#Ahimsa #Peace #HumanDignity #InterfaithSolidarity

Hindus for Human Rights

We advocate for pluralism, civil and human rights in South Asia and North America, rooted in the values of our faith: peace, justice, and truth.

buff.ly

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Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 9d

Join us in a sacred hour of chanting and reflection for peace.
Led by Pandit Raja Bhattar of Samadarshini (HfHR) with opening words from Rasha Abdel Latif.
11: 11 AM ET | Live: www.youtube.com/@HindusforHu...
#Ahimsa #Peace #HumanDignity #InterfaithSolidarity

Hindus for Human Rights

We advocate for pluralism, civil and human rights in South Asia and North America, rooted in the values of our faith: peace, justice, and truth.

www.youtube.com

1

Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 13d

This #Dussehra, we honor Durga’s triumph over Mahishasura & Raktabija. ✨
Watch Pandita Pratima Kushmani Shridevi Doobay’s retelling of this story of Shakti: www.hindusforhumanrights.org/en/blog/duss...

Dussehra 2025: Durga’s Victory Over Mahishasura | Story by Pandita Pratima Kushmani Shridevi Doobay<br/> — Hindus for Human Rights

This Dussehra, Hindus for Human Rights shares Pandita Pratima Kushmani Shridevi Doobay’s retelling of Durga’s triumph over Mahishasura and Raktabija. A timeless story of Shakti, courage, and the…

www.hindusforhumanrights.org

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Hindus For Human Rights @hfhr.bsky.social · 13d

On Gandhi Jayanti, we reflect on a figure whose life and choices remain deeply woven into our histories. Gandhi’s call to resist injustice with courage and conscience remains vital for our world today even as we grapple with the complexities of his legacy.

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