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HAF Newsletter May 2, 2006

Promoting Understanding, Tolerance, and Pluralism

JOIN HAF NOW! <http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/membership.php>
HAF in the News
*Daily Pioneer
*Biblicists Target Hindus
<http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnist1.asp?main_variable=Columnist&file_name=jain/jain87.txt&writer=jain>

*India West**
*Court Denies HAF Request for Textbook Injunction
<http://www.indiawest.com/view.php?subaction=showfull&id=1146158241&archive=&start_from=&ucat=11>

*Inside Bay Area
*Judge rejects Hindu's motion to halt publishing of textbooks
<http://insidebayarea.com/dailyreview/localnews/ci_3752812>

*San Francisco Chronicle
*Hinduism lawsuit loses in court again
<http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/22/BACADIGEST3.DTL>

*Deccan Herald
*Hindu couple challenges US fiat
<http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr182006/foreign1824352006417.asp>

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Inside This Newsletter

*JUDGE 'TROUBLED' BY CALIFORNIA BOARD OF EDUCATION'S TEXTBOOK ADOPTION
PROCESS
<http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/media_press_release_california_injunction.htm>*

*HAF REACTS TO FALSE MEDIA REPORTS AFTER COURT HEARING
<http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/media_press_release_california_injunction_elaboration.htm>*

*AMERICAN HINDUS APPLAUD DECISION OF DALITS IN INDIA TO BUILD OWN TEMPLE
<http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/media_press_release_dalit_temple.htm>*

*MINNEAPOLIS TEMPLE ATTACK LEAVES HINDU COMMUNITY IN SHOCK
<http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/media_press_release_minnesota_attack.htm>*

*HAF APPLAUDS U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT'S COMPREHENSIVE 2005 REPORT ON HUMAN
RIGHTS PRACTICES
<http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/media_press_release_crhrp.htm>*_*
*_

*CONTRIBUTE TO THE
HAF LEGAL DEFENSE FUND AND EDUCATION DRIVE
DONATE NOW! <http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/membership_online.php>*

*Judge "Troubled" By California Board of Education's Textbook Adoption
Process*

SACRAMENTO, Ca (April 24, 2006) – A motion for preliminary injunction
filed by the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) against the California
State Board of Education (SBE) to stop the printing and distribution of
several textbooks containing distortions and an unbalanced presentation
of Hinduism was heard on April 21, 2006 in California Superior Court.

In his ruling, Superior Court Judge Patrick Marlette stated that he was
“troubled” by process followed by the SBE in adopting sixth grade social
studies textbooks.

Judge Marlette requested that the Hindu groups and the SBE confer to,
among other things, provide a schedule to resolve this case before the
textbooks in question are distributed this fall. For that reason, Judge
Marlette denied the injunction in favor of a schedule that will bring
this case to a resolution before the school year.

“We are pleased that Judge Marlette agrees that the procedure followed
thus far by the SBE in relation to Hindus is problematic,” said Suhag
Shukla, Esq., legal counsel of HAF. “We are disappointed that the
preliminary injunction was denied, but remain confident that we will
prevail in our goal of providing California schoolchildren a fair and
balanced depiction of Hinduism and intend to continue with the legal
process to its completion.”

*For further information: *Please contact HAF.
<http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/contact.php>
Support HAF - Click here to become a member
<http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/membership.php>

*HAF Reacts to False Media Reports After Court Hearing*

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 26, 2006) – The Hindu American Foundation (HAF)
reacted quickly today to errors in media coverage of a hearing for a
preliminary injunction filed by the Hindu American Foundation (HAF)
against the California State Board of Education (SBE) in Superior Court
on April 21. The injunction sought to stop the printing of textbooks
containing inaccuracies and an unbalanced presentation of Hinduism. In
denying the injunction, presiding Judge Patrick Marlette did not
pre-judge the merits of the case, indicated that he was “troubled” by
the SBE process in approving the contentious textbooks, and encouraged
the parties to discuss resolution of the case before the start of the
school year.

No journalists were present at the hearing, and according to HAF,
several media reports relied on the motivated and biased interpretations
of an amateur writer who gained recent notoriety for his anti-Hindu
blog. This individual, with no previous experience reporting on legal
proceedings, detailed that he attended the hearing and did not rely on
official transcripts in his widely circulated report.

“While HAF’s legal team would have preferred that the preliminary
injunction had been granted, they were pleased that the judge suggested
the process followed by the SBE to be problematic,” said Ishani
Chowdhury, Executive Director of HAF. “It is sad that one individual’s
musings that were patently false at best, and blatantly racist at worst,
were accepted as truth by too many.”

Based on the writer’s account, that variously intimated gratuitous
comments as to the race and ethnicity of HAF’s legal team and of those
present in the courtroom, some media reports erroneously stated that a
preliminary injunction hearing requires a "lower showing" on the merits.
In fact, such a hearing requires the court to balance a number of
factors, including any harm that could be caused by granting or denying
an injunction. Here, presiding Judge Marlette twice indicated that he
was "troubled" by the process used to approve these texts, but in
denying the injunction request seemed concerned that even if the books
were poorly written, "harm" wouldn't occur until the children actually
had the books in hand -- something that is currently several months off.

Judge Marlette also appeared to be concerned that he could not evaluate
how "bad" these texts were in the contexts of a preliminary hearing, as
that decision would require a lengthy analysis of the texts, comparison
with the treatment of other religions and possibly expert testimony.
Preliminary hearings are, by contrast, limited. The court rules impose
limitations on both the length of the papers that can be submitted and
the amount of time available for the hearing.

“Some accounts report that the judge rejected HAF's claims ‘on the
merits,’ when the judge never decided such a thing,” said Suhag Shukla,
Esq., legal counsel of HAF. “Clearly there is a fundamental lack of
understanding as to the standard of proof required for preliminary
injunctive relief. It’s difficult to obtain -- particularly against the
government. More importantly, this particular denial has no bearing on
the ultimate outcome of the case.”

HAF leaders reaffirmed their commitment to their legal action to ensure
that California school textbooks accurately and equitably depict Hinduism.

“It is bewildering that these activists will oppose equal treatment of
all religions in school textbooks, the lack of which is what led to the
lawsuit,” said Chowdhury. “Hindus are merely seeking parity with other
religions in sixth-grade textbooks, where social problems of other
religions are not given the same prominence, even as the redeeming
features of Hinduism are ignored.”
*
For further information: *Please contact HAF.
<http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/contact.php>
Support HAF - Click here to become a member
<http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/membership.php>

*American Hindus Applaud Decision of Dalits in India to Build Own Temple*

SAN FRANCISCO, Ca (April 14, 2006) – The Hindu American Foundation (HAF)
today applauded the recent construction of a temple by members of the
Scheduled Caste (Dalit) community in Chauriberhampur village in the
state of Orissa, India. The Hadi community built the temple in response
to the unjust denial of entry into the traditional village temple by
Hindus of other castes.

Many Hadis make a living by scavenging, sweeping streets and removing
waste. Despite their depressed economic circumstances, the Hadi
community was able to raise over Rs. 200,000 (US$4,000) for the
construction of a temple dedicated to Goddess Maa Mangala.

“Hindu religious leaders, who have largely focused on individual
spiritual counsel, must also engage in social activism and speak out
against such atrocities,” said Pawan Deshpande, Member of the Hindu
American Foundation Executive Council. “The Hadis have demonstrated
their pride and faith in the Hindu religion. In the past, such
indignities have undoubtedly contributed to communities converting out
of the Hindu fold.”

HAF calls for all Hindus in India, especially the leaders of Hindu
religious, social and political organizations, to articulate and
forcefully implement reforms against casteism. HAF believes that while
the government has the immediate responsibility of upholding the law,
religious organizations are uniquely positioned to enable a long-term
social change.

“The ancient Sanskrit and Tamil scriptures of Hinduism are unambiguous
in their declaration that Divinity is inherent in all beings and that
the goal of religion is to help manifest that Divinity”, said
Swaminathan Venkataraman, Member of the Hindu American Foundation
Executive Council. “While economic changes have already diminished
casteist distinctions in many parts of India, it is also imperative that
all Hindus, regardless of caste or social class, enjoy equal spiritual
and religious rights.”
*
For further information: *Please contact HAF.
<http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/contact.php>
Support HAF - Click here to become a member
<http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/membership.php>

*Minneapolis Temple Attack Leaves Hindu Community in Shock*

MINNEAPOLIS, Mn (April 12, 2006) – The Hindu American Foundation joined
several Minnesota Hindus last week voicing outrage over the April 5,
2005 attack on the soon to be inaugurated Hindu temple in suburban
Minneapolis. The temple, being completed in Maple Grove, Minnesota,
planned and executed by the Hindu Society of Minneapolis, was to join
other temples in the area for Hindu Americans to congregate and worship.
Vandals desecrated and destroyed the Hindu Deities that were ready to be
consecrated at the temple.

The attack also left the auditorium and dining hall walls and ceilings
damaged. Classroom windows were broken. Members of the tight-knit
community who were preparing for the opening of the 40-acre, $9 million
temple, expressed shock and dismay at community meetings held on April 8
and April 12.

Aseem Shukla, M.D., Member of the HAF Board of Directors, was present in
Minneapolis for the April 8 temple meeting and joined the trustees and
leadership of the Hindu society in condemning the act as a hate crime
and urged local police authorities and the FBI to launch a thorough
investigation and to apprehend the criminals quickly. Soon after the
meeting, Dr. Shukla and the HAF executive director appealed to state
legislators and members of the U.S. Congress representing the area to
urge authorities for a careful and quick investigation into this crime.

"The people of our community condemn the outrageous vandalism done to
the Hindu Society of Minnesota's new temple under construction in Maple
Grove," said Congressman Jim Ramstad (R-MN) representing Maple Grove in
the U.S. House of Representatives, one of the first government officials
to support HAF's condemnation of the attack. "I trust Minnesotans to
treat people of all religious faiths with respect and tolerance. I also
trust that the perpetrators of these criminal acts will be brought to
justice soon."

Minnesota State Senator Satveer Chaudhary (DFL-Fridley) released a
statement on April 7 that categorically called for an investigation as a
potential hate crime. “This was a crime against an obviously minority
institution, and there is no way the perpetrators did not know that," he
said. "Also, the focus of the destruction on Hindu sculptures was
particularly heinous. Icons were intentionally decapitated and dismembered."

The Maple Grove temple is a classical Hindu structure with hand-carved
Deities from India placed in sacred spaces in the temple. The images of
Deities are carefully sculpted according to strict, ancient religious
texts and traditions. Even minimal damage to the Deities precludes
consecration and worship. Sculpting of new images of the Deities will
take several months and thousands of dollars.

While Maple Grove authorities have been conducting a search for the
arrest of the perpetrators, they have yet to find any leads or name any
suspects.

"The fact that the Deities were destroyed indicates that the vandals
were trying to specifically hurt the worshippers’ sentiments," said
Ishani Chowdhury, Executive Director of the Hindu American Foundation.
"It is our hope that the Maple Grove community will stand firm and
committed to completing the temple and making it a place of worship and
community spirit”, Chowdhury said and called upon community leaders and
elected officials to reassure the Hindu American community that
xenophobia and such acts of hatred will not be tolerated. She called on
the greater American Hindu community and well wishers to lend support to
the Minnesota Hindu community during this time of crisis.

*For further information: *Please contact HAF.
<http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/contact.php>
Support HAF - Click here to become a member
<http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/membership.php>

*HAF Applauds U.S. State Department's Comprehensive 2005 Report on Human
Rights Practices*

TAMPA, Fl (April 10, 2006) – The Hindu American Foundation (HAF)
applauded the U.S. State Government for comprehensively documenting the
condition of human rights in the 2005 Country Reports on Human Rights
Practices (CRHRP) which was released on March 8, 2006. Deeply concerned
with the status of Hindus around the world, HAF highlighted some of the
findings by the State Department of conditions affecting the Hindu
Diaspora.

In July of 2005, HAF released its first annual human rights report
entitled “Hindus in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Kashmir: A Survey of Human
Rights 2004” documenting human rights violations perpetrated against
Hindus in South Asia. The second annual report will be released by HAF
later this year.

HAF once again noted with concern the condition of Hindus in
Afghanistan. As reported in the State Department report, “human rights
record remained poor due to weak central institutions, a deadly
insurgency, and the country’s ongoing recovery from two decades of war”
in Afghanistan. Many regions in Afghanistan, outside of Kabul, the
capital, continue to be under the control of regional commanders, who do
not subscribe to the laws of the land.

Deeply troubling is the fact that Afghan law proclaims Islam as the
“religion of the state,” declaring that no law can be contrary to the
beliefs and provisions of Islam. The government “required” all citizens
to profess a religious affiliation thereby forcing self-identification
which in times of crises could be effectively used to cleanse
Afghanistan of “non-Muslims”. Disturbing too is the fact that public
school curricula included religious subjects. This leads to the official
and formal indoctrination of Islam in school children. Religious leaders
conducted detailed religious study in schools. While non-Muslims are not
required to study Islam, HAF believes there is very little are few
alternative options for non-Muslim children attending public schools to
escape the forced learning of Islam. The State Department report notes
that non-Muslim children faced discrimination in schools, and that there
were numerous instances of Sikh and Hindu students stop attending
schools due to harassment from both teachers and students.

Though HAF has expressed concern in the past regarding concerted
proselytization campaigns by Christian missionaries, the organization
felt that the Afghan law which makes conversion from Islam punishable by
death, blatantly violated an individual’s freedom of belief.

HAF expressed deep concern for the fate of Sikhs and Hindus returning to
Afghanistan after years of exile. They faced difficulties in obtaining
housing and land in Kabul and other provinces, according to the CRHRP,
and also encountered various other acts of discrimination. The
government had to provide Sikhs and Hindus land on which to cremate
their dead because such land that had once belonged to them had been
usurped or destroyed in the past by Muslims.

With regard to Bangladesh, the CRHRP states, “The government's human
rights record remained poor, and the government continued to commit
numerous serious abuses.” It also states that “The law establishes Islam
as the state religion.” HAF disagreed with the report’s assertion that
“the government is secular”, and instead agreed that “religion exert(s)
a powerful influence on politics”. HAF also noted with dismay the
report’s conclusion that, “Discrimination against members of religious
minorities existed at both the governmental and societal level, and
religious minorities were disadvantaged in practice in such areas as
access to government jobs, political office, and access to justice.”
What the CRHRP fails to note explicitly is that Hindus, as the largest
minority (nine percent of the total population) faced the worst
discrimination in Bangladesh. HAF’s forthcoming Hindu human rights
report compiled at least 480 cases of murder, rape, kidnapping, attacks
on temples, and confiscation of land and property of Hindus between
December 2004 and November 2005 in Bangladesh.

Hindus continued to suffer and be discriminated against, officially and
otherwise. Despite promises, the government did not take any measures to
implement the 2001 Vested Property (Return) Act. The reversal of the
hateful Vested Property Act, under which Hindus had their property
seized by the government after the 1965 India-Pakistan war, would
signify significant steps towards pluralism in Bangladesh. The inability
of Hindus to reclaim their entitled property due to the failure of the
government to publish a list of vested property, has only caused us to
conclude that Hindus are officially discriminated in Bangladesh.

With reference to Pakistan, the CRHRP states, “The government's human
rights record was poor, and serious problems remained.” As the state
religion is Islam, the government officially limits freedom of religion,
“and the constitution requires that laws be consistent with Islam”. The
CRHRP notes that all “citizens were subject to certain provisions of
Shari’a, such as the blasphemy laws. Reprisals and threats of reprisals
against suspected converts from Islam occurred. Members of religious
minorities were subject to violence and harassment, and police at times
refused to prevent such actions or charge persons who committed them.”

The president and the prime minister of Pakistan must be Muslim, and all
elected members, including non-Muslims, must take an oath to “strive to
preserve the Islamic ideology, which is the basis for the creation of
Pakistan,” thus marginalizing and effectively hindering Hindus from
freely practicing and professing their religious beliefs. The report
notes that, “The Hindu community faced harassment and demands for bribes
from security forces, particularly during tense periods in the
relationship between Pakistan and India.” The CRHRP fails to note that
the Hindu population in Pakistan has been reduced from about 15-24
percent in 1947 to less than two percent now. It also fails to note that
Hindu girls are routinely kidnapped and forcibly converted to Islam. HAF
has highlighted one such egregious case of conversion, of three Hindu
girls, in a press release in December 2005
<http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/media_press_release_pakistan_conversion.htm>.

In Bhutan, the CRHRP notes that while the law provides for freedom of
religion, the government restricted this right in practice, as Buddhism
was the state religion. It notes that one major Hindu festival was
declared a national holiday, but that there was only one Hindu temple in
Thimphu, and the government did not grant permission to build Hindu
temples, with the last reported Hindu temple constructed in the early 1990s.

There is a large Hindu minority in the Republic of Fiji. The CRHRP notes
that while the government “generally respected the human rights of its
citizens”, “deep divisions between indigenous Fijians (54 percent of the
population) and Indo-Fijians (38 percent) continued to influence all
aspects of the nation's politics”. The report notes that “racial
polarization was reflected in religious differences, which were largely
along ethnic lines”. While most ethnic Fijians are Christians, most Indo
Fijians are Hindu, and that “break-ins, vandalism, attempted arson, and
thefts directed at houses of worship, predominantly Hindu temples,
continued to increase”.

Ramesh Rao, Executive Council Member of HAF, said that the State
Department’s annual reports are a useful resource for all those
concerned with human rights and religious freedom. “HAF looks forward to
the annual reports as they supplement our own annual Hindu human rights
reports”, he said.
*
For further information: *Please contact HAF.
<http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/contact.php>
Support HAF - Click here to become a member
<http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/membership.php>

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U.S.A.**
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