CoHNA writes to Concordia University: Stop Hinduphobia

The event features speakers with troubling histories, including allegations of fraud, support for terrorism, and the promotion of Hinduphobia. It is alarming that Concordia University would host an event with the potential to incite hatred and jeopardize the safety and well-being of Hindu students, faculty, and the broader community.

Controversial Key Speakers

Teesta Setalvad, a elite and privileged activist, has been facing legal scrutiny in India with allegations of tutoring witnesses, forging documents and fabricating evidence in connection with the 2002 Gujarat riots, misappropriating funds meant for riot victims, and receiving funds from questionable sources to create instability in India. Last year, the Indian Supreme Court, while granting her regular bail, said, “The appellant shall not make any attempt to influence witnesses and shall stay away from them.” In July 2023, she was able to secure a same-day special sitting from the Supreme Court of India to get a stay order on her bail plea that was rejected by the High Court, indicative of her privilege and deep access to the Indian judiciary. She is currently also under investigation for receiving money inappropriately from China to create unrest in India. It is concerning that someone with such a history is being given a platform to speak on a day that symbolizes freedom and unity for millions.

Afreen Fatima has a history of spreading divisive narratives that incite violence and hatred. She misrepresented CAA, (a humanitarian law aimed at fastracking citizenship for the minorities facing persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh), as anti-Muslim – when the law has no impact on the Indian Muslim community. She has supported anti-Hindu individuals who have attacked Hindu traditions and  tried to restrict the free speech of Hindus. She called a convicted terrorist responsible for deaths of nine innocent lives, as “innocent”. Her stance on these issues raises questions about her commitment to peace and social harmony.

Professor Fahad Ahmad, despite his role as an expert on terrorism and national security, has maintained silence on the worst terror attack in Canadian history. He has consistently downplayed the threat of anti-Hindu violence and dismissed legitimate concerns of Canadian Hindus as mere “right-wing nationalist propaganda.” His approach undermines the safety and security of Hindus in Canada.

Hinduphobia Under the Guise of “Hindutva”

The organizers and speakers intend to critique perceived forms of oppression within the Hindu diaspora in North America, but their approach is tainted by a bias against Hindus, which distorts their analysis. They question the financial contributions of Indian-origin communities to India, a common practice among most diaspora communities, and mischaracterize it as a form of extremism. It needs to be noted that this trope of “dual loyalty” has been wielded ruthlessly to attack any immigrant who steps outside of their preferred boundaries.

Moreover, the dismissal of Parliamentary petition e-4507, which garnered over 25,000 signatures, as an expression of upper-caste privilege, is a clear reflection of anti-Hindu bias. Hindu Canadians, like any other community, have the right to engage in civic life and advocate for their interests without fear of vilification.

The conflation of Hindutva with Hinduism is both misleading and dangerous. Such misrepresentation was evident in the 2021 “Dismantling Global Hindutva” conderence, co-sponsored by many Canadian universities, including academics from Concordia University. The academics in the conference equated Hindutva with Hinduism and then called for the dismantling of Hinduism itself. Such a narrative paints a target on the backs of Hindu students and faculty members, endangering their safety and civil rights and contributing to a broader xenophobic discourse. This rhetoric has real-world consequences, as seen when a Hindu family in Mississauga was assaulted following a similar event in 2021. By promoting these narratives under the guise of “academic freedom,” the university inadvertently endorses bigotry and hatred, jeopardizing the safety and well-being of its Hindu community. 

Your institution’s and student organization’s sponsorship of this conference endangers Hindus in Canada, and specifically those on campus. According to a recent media article, 91 Indian students have died in Canada in last five years due to multiple reasons, including suicide. The Indian Ambassador, Sanjay Verma, painfully said, “There was a time when we were sending one body bag of an Indian international student every 10 days. And as an ambassador, you can imagine what I would feel in my heart.” The conference’s topic puts students at risk simply because they practice a minority faith. Clearly, this event is not a genuine academic conference, but a targeted shaming and silencing of Canadian Hindus, particularly those of Indian origin. 

 Timing of the event

The choice of August 15th, India’s Independence Day, for this event is particularly troubling. This date commemorates the end of over 200 years of British colonial rule—a regime that sought to erase indigenous cultures, much like the impact of colonialism on First Nations communities in Canada. The timing and theme of this conference appear to draw an unfounded and dangerous parallel between “Hindutva” and global threats, implying that Hindus warrant re-colonization. Furthermore, this event occurs amidst ongoing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, adding to the distress of the Hindu community in Canada. 

CoHNA urges Concordia University to reconsider hosting this event, given its potential to incite hatred and foster a hostile environment for Hindu students and faculty. The university has a responsibility to promote an atmosphere of respect, inclusivity, and understanding. We trust that Concordia will prioritize the well-being of all its members and take this opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.