Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) USA expresses serious concerns about the publication of false and defamatory statements about HSS-USA in a purported “report on RSS in Canada” jointly released by the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) and World Sikh Organization (WSO). The report is full of disinformation, inaccuracies, and dubious citations and arrives at false conclusions. This report falls in the series of such growing disinformation campaigns and attacks that were forewarned by HSS. We had issued a statement condemning such acts of disinformation.
HSS-US conducts regular values-based education programs based on Hindu Dharma for all age groups. HSS promotes discipline, self-confidence, teamwork, and the spirit of selfless service. The report falsely attributes ‘militarizing the minds of HSS attendees’ while entirely missing this fact. HSS-US strongly denounces such malicious portrayal and falsehood.
The saffron flag, a civilizational icon and a sacred symbol, have always adorned the places of worship of Hindus and all Hindu-centric organizations around the globe. The insinuation that HSS-US is attempting to militarize in front of their sacred icon is denigrating the symbol and promoting Hinduphobia in the west.
HSS-USA held a ‘Darshana’ Exhibition nationwide in 200+ places to create awareness about Hindu Dharma. The exhibition has been widely appreciated by everyone and has helped grow mutual understanding and respect. However, the report cites the people-to-people exchange of resources through sharing this exhibition with HSS-Canada as an act of illegal networking. It is not just laughable but a deliberate attempt of hate-filled propaganda. Such propaganda and disinformation feed into further fueling Hinduphobia in the West.
HSS believes that such reports by various groups, conferences, summits, etc., are meant to provoke anti-Hindu sentiments in the USA and other western countries.The net result of such campaigns is creating an environment of hate against Hindus. The attacks on Hindu temples (Toronto, Canada, New Jersey, USA, and Australia, to name a few) and Hindu people ( Texas, California) have resulted from such an environment. Physical attacks on Hindu people and interests are also on the rise.
HSS-USA, based on Hindu values, emphasizes the well-being of all humanity and engages in service activities benefiting everyone. It has partnered with several local governments, schools, and businesses, as well as nationally, with relevant federal authorities such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For example, HSS-USA has recently completed its 16th year of the ‘Health for Humanity Yogathon’ – promoting good health through yoga. During emergencies such as COVID, HSS-USA distributed over half a million masks to 45,000 needy families in over 200 cities without discrimination or bias.
HSS-USA cautions the Hindu community, American lawmakers, and public officials to note those organizations that are creating division and an environment of hate. HSS USA also strongly condemns such acts and would put all its resources to work for the Hindu Americans’ safety, dignity, and well-being.
(This article first appeared on www.hssus.org.com on March 8, 2023 and is being republished as part of a content-sharing agreement. Minor edits have been done to conform to HinduPost style-guide.)
