Parivar Bay Area is a South Asian queer/trans group that organizes cultural events and support resources. Similar spaces have existed for decades, but Parivar has played an important role since 2018.
But here is the sad truth: Parivar’s leadership actively collaborates with Hindutva groups. The Hindutva movement targets Muslims, Christians, and liberal Hindus across India, and is responsible for ongoing human rights violations.
American Hindutva groups try to cover up these facts with pinkwashing and diversity jargon. (Read about it in the news.)
Parivar’s Hindutva alliances are known within our community, but many of us have been afraid to come out and speak openly.
These alliances have caused many long-time Parivar members to leave and made many Muslim and caste-oppressed folx feel unsafe.
Parivar and its president are favorites of the American Hindutva movement:
- pride event with the VHP of America
- featured in Sewa International USA promotional video
- presenter at Hindu Pride event with CoHNA
- guest on HAF podcast
- honored by Sewa International
- awarded HAF “Dharma Seva Award”
- thanking Sewa and HAF for their support
- defended by HAF when a colleague points out Islamophobic ties
- featured at Sewa International Atlanta gala
This American Hindutva explainer and recently released report reveal who these organizations are.
If asked about these collaborations, Parivar leadership often labels the questioner “Hinduphobic and transphobic,” says that they are feeling attacked, and tries to change the topic to their social and charity work.
The Parivar community deserves love and appreciation. Their/our lives and survival are important. The money Parivar redistributes is impactful.
But for Muslims, Christians, progressive Hindus, and other folx, Parivar can sometimes feel like the Log Cabin Republicans.
–SAQTI collective
What is Hindutva? Stop Hindutva in America is a helpful primer.
Read media coverage of U.S. Hindutva organizing in The Nation, HuffPost, Al Jazeera, The Print, Religion News Service, The Caravan, and many others.
Facing Hindutva harassment? You are not alone. Here is a helpful resource for people facing targeted harassment.
Hindutva and Hinduism are separate. Hindutva is a political ideology while Hinduism is a religious tradition. Many Hindus reject Hindutva, and it is offensive to conflate the two. Hindutva supporters often claim to speak for all Hindus to prevent criticism of their political ideology.