Balancing Faith and Advocacy: How the Hindu American Foundation Represents Hindu American Interests

In recent years, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has found itself at the center of a debate over its role in U.S. advocacy, especially regarding its alignment with certain policies supported by India’s government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. HAF, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Hindu cultural awareness and defending the rights of Hindu Americans, has faced accusations of acting as an agent of the Indian government. Yet, these criticisms may overlook the broader context of religious and cultural advocacy in the United States, where organizations across faiths regularly promote policies that align with countries tied to their heritage.

To fully understand HAF’s work, we must place it within a tradition of advocacy shared by other religious groups who also navigate the complex space between faith, heritage, and political influence. A closer examination reveals that HAF’s activities are far from unique in the landscape of American advocacy and are instead a reflection of a broader cultural engagement shared by many religious organizations.

The American Tradition of Cultural and Religious Advocacy

Across the United States, religious and cultural groups have long advocated for policies that reflect the interests and values of their communities. These organizations, deeply rooted in their respective faiths and traditions, engage with policymakers on issues that extend beyond American borders. In this light, HAF’s efforts to raise awareness about issues affecting Hindu communities internationally is part of a larger pattern.

1. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is a prominent example. Founded in the 1950s, AIPAC works to strengthen U.S.-Israel relations, often supporting policies that align with Israeli government interests. AIPAC has successfully advocated for U.S. military aid to Israel, security cooperation, and sanctions on countries perceived as hostile to Israeli interests. Although its work benefits Israel, AIPAC operates as an advocate for Jewish Americans, not the Israeli government, and is not required to register as a foreign agent.
2. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is another significant example of cultural advocacy. CAIR, which focuses on defending the civil rights of American Muslims, has also lobbied on foreign policy issues impacting Muslim-majority countries. For instance, CAIR has frequently advocated for Palestinian rights and called for an end to U.S. military aid to Israel. While these positions align with the perspectives of several foreign governments, CAIR remains a representative of American Muslims rather than a proxy for a foreign entity.
3. The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) advocates for Armenian Americans, focusing on issues such as recognition of the Armenian Genocide and U.S. support for Armenia. Despite advocating for policies that align closely with Armenia’s interests, ANCA does not operate as an agent of the Armenian government but as a voice for Armenian Americans concerned with preserving their heritage and history.

By engaging with Congress and pushing for policies that resonate with their communities’ values and histories, these groups ensure that their cultural narratives and concerns are represented. Like HAF, they often work on issues that touch upon international relations and are connected to their heritage. This commonality across religious groups highlights the necessity of distinguishing between advocacy for a community’s interests and acting as a representative of a foreign government.

The Hindu American Foundation: A History of Advocacy and Representation

The Hindu American Foundation was founded in 2003, largely as a response to growing concerns about misrepresentations of Hinduism and the Hindu American experience. From challenging inaccurate depictions of Hinduism in American textbooks to advocating for a more inclusive understanding of Hindu culture, HAF has long positioned itself as a voice for Hindu Americans. However, it has recently come under fire for allegedly acting as a proxy for the Modi-led Indian government due to some of the issues it has supported.

HAF’s advocacy includes raising awareness about the persecution of Hindus in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Its concerns in this area are longstanding, predating the Modi administration, and are a continuation of its commitment to protecting Hindu minorities worldwide. This advocacy is consistent with the way other religious groups, like CAIR, advocate for the rights of Muslims worldwide. In the same vein, HAF’s positions on international issues reflect the concerns of its community members, not directives from a foreign government.

A Question of Foreign Agent Registration

One of the primary criticisms HAF faces is whether it should register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which mandates registration for entities acting at the request or control of a foreign government. Critics argue that HAF’s lobbying on issues like the status of Jammu and Kashmir and U.S.-Pakistan relations shows alignment with the Indian government. However, HAF operates in the same manner as other organizations that lobby for foreign policy stances connected to their religious or cultural identity.

For example:

• AIPAC’s efforts to advocate for policies that support Israel, including lobbying for military aid and challenging narratives critical of Israeli actions, have aligned with the Israeli government’s positions. However, AIPAC is not required to register under FARA because its work represents the interests of American Jews, not the government of Israel.
• Similarly, ANCA has worked on policies that support Armenian interests, especially regarding the Armenian Genocide and security issues in the Caucasus. ANCA does not represent the Armenian government, and as a result, it operates without FARA registration.

The work of these groups underscores a key principle: advocacy that aligns with a foreign government’s policies does not automatically imply agency on behalf of that government. As the Hindu American Foundation has emphasized, its advocacy is directed by the needs and interests of Hindu Americans rather than the Indian government.

Addressing Accusations of Hinduphobia

HAF’s critics argue that its focus on Hinduphobia, particularly in academia, aligns with the BJP’s rhetoric in India. This criticism fails to consider that other religious groups also combat negative stereotypes about their faith in American society. For instance, CAIR routinely challenges portrayals of Islam that contribute to Islamophobia, while the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) tackles antisemitism.

In 2021, HAF opposed an academic conference titled “Dismantling Global Hindutva,” which it believed was misrepresenting Hinduism by equating Hindu identity with extremism. HAF’s efforts to protect Hinduism’s image in academia are consistent with how other groups protect their faiths from harmful stereotypes. This is not unique to HAF but reflects a common approach across cultural advocacy groups.

A Balanced Approach to Advocacy

It is crucial to recognize that HAF’s advocacy aligns with an American tradition that allows cultural and religious groups to engage in public policy without being accused of foreign allegiance. Much like AIPAC’s work reflects the interests of Jewish Americans and ANCA’s actions represent Armenian Americans, HAF’s work seeks to ensure Hindu American voices are heard on issues that affect their community.

The Hindu American Foundation’s advocacy may resonate with certain policies of the Indian government, but this alignment does not negate its role as a U.S.-based organization representing American citizens. Accusations that HAF should register as a foreign agent overlook the broader landscape of religious advocacy in the United States. HAF, like other religious groups, engages with policymakers to ensure that its community’s concerns are represented, which is a fundamental aspect of American democracy.

Ultimately, HAF’s work is an example of the American right to advocate for one’s cultural and religious heritage. Its efforts reflect a desire to represent the values and concerns of Hindu Americans, not to act as a proxy for the Indian government. Recognizing this reality is essential for maintaining a balanced and inclusive understanding of religious and cultural advocacy in the United States. By doing so, we affirm the rights of all communities to engage in the political process and contribute to the American tapestry of diverse voices.