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It took me all year to try to understand what’s happening in India with the ramping human rights violations and rising influence of Hindu nationalism. I interviewed dozens of experts. Here’s an explainer: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/12/04/should-canada-try-to-forge-closer-ties-with-india-experts-are-raising-red-flags-heres-why.html @TorontoStar
The Indian government has pushed for laws and policies that have the potential to render millions of Muslims stateless. The government also imposed a military clampdown in the majority Muslim region of Kashmir, arresting thousands. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/12/04/should-canada-try-to-forge-closer-ties-with-india-experts-are-raising-red-flags-heres-why.html
Hinduism as a religion has roots from at least the 2nd millennium BCE.
Hindu nationalism, on the other hand, is a political ideology which claims superiority for Hindus, and wants Hindu faith and culture to serve as the cornerstone of the Indian state. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/12/04/should-canada-try-to-forge-closer-ties-with-india-experts-are-raising-red-flags-heres-why.html
Hindu nationalism, on the other hand, is a political ideology which claims superiority for Hindus, and wants Hindu faith and culture to serve as the cornerstone of the Indian state. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/12/04/should-canada-try-to-forge-closer-ties-with-india-experts-are-raising-red-flags-heres-why.html
Modi is the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a major right-wing political party in India that has a strong base of Hindu nationalist supporters and close links to nationalist groups including the RSS. Explainer: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/12/04/should-canada-try-to-forge-closer-ties-with-india-experts-are-raising-red-flags-heres-why.html #cdnpoli
Sedition and counterterrorism laws have been used to stifle freedom of expression. The sedition law allows life in prison, and prohibits any written, verbal or visual representation that can cause “hatred or contempt" toward the government. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/12/04/should-canada-try-to-forge-closer-ties-with-india-experts-are-raising-red-flags-heres-why.html
Canada has not taken a public stance to condemn the situation in Kashmir, or the Citizenship Amendment Act’s exclusion of Muslims.
This inaction has provided space for Hindu nationalist ideas to spread into Canada, says South Asia scholar Idrisa Pandit. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/12/04/should-canada-try-to-forge-closer-ties-with-india-experts-are-raising-red-flags-heres-why.html
This inaction has provided space for Hindu nationalist ideas to spread into Canada, says South Asia scholar Idrisa Pandit. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/12/04/should-canada-try-to-forge-closer-ties-with-india-experts-are-raising-red-flags-heres-why.html
"They want to portray India as a vibrant democracy and anything that tarnishes that image, they robustly try to silence … What’s disturbing is that many people accept the simplistic narrative of India as a large democracy and therefore a natural ally." https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/12/04/should-canada-try-to-forge-closer-ties-with-india-experts-are-raising-red-flags-heres-why.html
After President Donald Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric, will a new Biden-Harris U.S. administration confront India on human rights? Here's what analysts think: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/12/04/should-canada-try-to-forge-closer-ties-with-india-experts-are-raising-red-flags-heres-why.html
Important to emphasize that India contains a multitude of cultures and religions, and Hindu nationalism is a political ideology.
People of Hindu faith have been among the thousands protesting for civil rights protections for religious minorities. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/12/04/should-canada-try-to-forge-closer-ties-with-india-experts-are-raising-red-flags-heres-why.html
People of Hindu faith have been among the thousands protesting for civil rights protections for religious minorities. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/12/04/should-canada-try-to-forge-closer-ties-with-india-experts-are-raising-red-flags-heres-why.html
Here's an article on the latest situation on why thousands of farmers are protesting in India: https://www.thestar.com/news/world/asia/2020/11/29/angry-indian-farmers-reject-government-offer-for-talks.html
I wanted to lay down some of the basics in this first article, and will be looking at other issues, like Hindu nationalism's influence in North America, in future stories. Appreciate any feedback or ideas. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/12/04/should-canada-try-to-forge-closer-ties-with-india-experts-are-raising-red-flags-heres-why.html
It seems like international events, particularly in the Asia-Pacific, always has a strong presence in the Greater Vancouver area. See: https://bc.ctvnews.ca/rally-for-farmers-in-india-expected-to-draw-1-000-cars-in-surrey-drivers-warned-to-expect-traffic-1.5218259
I first learned about Hindu nationalism and its presence in Canada when I was one of the speakers at a @UBC panel series where audience members jeered and one person threatened journalist @gurpreetonair. Coverage about the incident. This was pre-COVID. https://globalnews.ca/news/6602149/vancouver-ubc-india-protest-threats/?utm_medium=Twitter&utm_source=%40globalbc
I spoke at the first panel, not the second one where Gurpreet was threatened. During my panel, the protesters spread themselves around the room and loudly interrupted the speakers so people couldn't get through their remarks. Moderators had to get security for the second event.
Most of my interviews this year were focused on how university campuses have been hotspots for clashes between Hindu nationalists and academics who study India government policies related to religious minorities. If you have a story, please email me.
If you’re having trouble accessing the article, try a different browser. Here are some highlights from @Garossino’s reading. Thanks for all the feedback and info! https://twitter.com/garossino/status/1335092390927843331
