Civil libertarians fear 'Hindu nationalism' will influence Democratic lawmaker’s 'Dharma caucus'

Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Michigan) has been trying to put together a bipartisan congressional caucus consisting of lawmakers who are practicing eastern or Dharmic religions, including Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains.

But according to Religion News Service reporter Richa Karmarkar, some people of faith are concerned about the influence that Hindu nationalists and supporters of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have on his "Dharma caucus.'

"On October 3," Karmarkar reports, "Hindu, Sikh and Muslim Americans put out a press release complaining that Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh organizations were not consulted about the caucus. Without input from the broader community, they said, the caucus may be less responsive to all its constituents' concerns."

POLL: Should Trump be allowed to hold office again?

The reporter continues, "Hindus for Human Rights, an organization dedicated to resisting Hindu nationalism, had deeper worries, noting that when Thanedar announced a plan for a Hindu-American caucus at an inaugural Hindu-American Summit on Capitol Hill in June, Hindu nationalist-allied organizations were present. A few days later, Thanedar, who was born in India, escorted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, head of India's BJP Party, to Modi's address to Congress."

Modi is a controversial figure in India, even among fellow Hindus — some of whom believe that he is elevating Hindu nationalism at the expense of other religions, especially Islam.

Ria Chakrabarty, policy director Hindus for Human Rights, told Religion News, "Because it's a federal caucus, it could be a place for Hindu nationalists to organize lawmakers against holding the Indian government accountable for human rights concerns that the broader Indian community has."

READ MORE:Exploring the US and India's grim and violent rightward turns

Read Religion News' full report at this link.