More than 30 Christian leaders from both the United States and India have voiced concern over a recent event in Dallas, Texas, which featured a controversial speaker linked to Hindu nationalist views.
The event was organised with the support of the Global Hindu Heritage Foundation and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America. These organisations have previously been connected to activities and rhetoric considered hostile to religious minorities, including Christians and Muslims.
The speaker at the event, Kajal Singhala, also known as Kajal Hindustani, has publicly made statements against religious minorities in India, and her appearance in the US has raised alarm among faith leaders. They warned that such gatherings could promote division and harm the principles of religious freedom and harmony.
Some reports have also pointed to past fundraising events held by these groups in Texas, which allegedly aimed to support the demolition of churches in India. While these claims have drawn calls for investigation, faith leaders stress the importance of standing against any form of religious discrimination or extremism.
Reverend Neal Christie, representing the Religious Nationalisms Project, highlighted the speed and unity with which Christian leaders responded to the Dallas event. Within 24 hours, over 30 signatories from various denominations, including Methodist, Baptist, Anglican, Lutheran, Evangelical and Presbyterian churches, joined together to speak out.
The joint statement issued by these leaders calls on elected officials to pay closer attention to rising religious violence in India. It also encourages US-based communities to carefully examine any fundraising efforts linked to groups promoting hate or discrimination.
The church leaders emphasised that their position is not against any particular religion but is a stand against the misuse of religion to justify hatred, fear or violence.
Rewritten from Ecumenical News.
