HAF Promotes Various Forms of Racism in US including Islamophobia: A Joint Report

A surprising new report reveals the insidious role of the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) in promoting Islamophobia, casteism, and other forms of bigotry among Indian American communities.

Jointly published by Political Research Associates (PRA) and Savera: United Against Supremacy, the report uncovers HAF’s affiliations with far-right groups in the U.S. It highlights how HAF seeks to dismantle solidarity among communities of color while steering Hindu Americans towards an exclusionary, multiracial far-right agenda.

The report, titled “HAF Way to Supremacy: How the Hindu American Foundation Rebrands Bigotry as Minority Rights,” emphasizes a troubling zero-sum approach. HAF frames the civil rights of Hindus as being in direct opposition to those of other marginalized groups. This toxic narrative fuels hostility, especially against caste-oppressed communities and Muslims.

HAF’s alignment with far-right ideologies isn’t accidental; it’s rooted in a historical legacy. This organization emerged from a lineage of Hindutva activists who once operated in openly supremacist circles. They aim to present a “kinder” version of Hindutva, hoping to gain acceptance within mainstream American society.

Yet, despite its attempts at rebranding, HAF maintains close ties with extremist organizations like the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHP-A). By hiding these affiliations, HAF exploits a general lack of awareness about the dangers of Hindu supremacism in the Indian diaspora.

Mainstream American civil society has naively welcomed HAF into interfaith and multicultural coalitions, mistaking it for a legitimate representative of the Hindu community. However, as HAF’s extremist record comes to light, its exclusionary practices become evident. The rise of a multiracial far-right threatens the very fabric of democracy, and HAF is a key player in this dangerous game.

Tarso Luís Ramos, Executive Director of PRA, states that the Hindu supremacist movement is a formidable and growing threat. HAF has skillfully capitalized on ignorance about Hindu extremism, masquerading as a civil rights organization. This report shatters that illusion, exposing HAF as a mouthpiece for Hindutva and an extension of the Indian far-right.

Sunita Viswanath, Cofounder of Hindus for Human Rights, emphasizes the report’s significance. It reveals how diasporic far-right networks play a crucial role in the broader authoritarian movement in the U.S. Anyone serious about understanding this emerging threat must engage with this critical analysis.

Chaitanya Diwadkar from Ambedkar King Study Circle points out that HAF’s actions foster hate while cloaking itself in the language of minority rights. The organization denies caste discrimination’s existence in the U.S., undermining marginalized voices within the Hindu community. This is a direct assault on democracy that requires urgent attention.

Rasheed Ahmed, Executive Director of the Indian American Muslim Council, corroborates these findings. He asserts that HAF aligns itself with foreign regimes targeting Sikh communities and participates in the xenophobic demonization of Muslims. This report underscores the urgent need to expose HAF’s dangerous agenda and hold it accountable.