Why Some Groups Are Not Happy With Congressional Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh And Jain Caucus In US?

Days after Indian-American Congressman Thanedar launched the Congressional Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain American Caucus, several South Asian American civil rights groups denounced its formation.

"This caucus is not representative of the Sikh community. Based on our outreach and understanding, its leadership has not meaningfully consulted representatives from these communities and is not including other key South Asian faith traditions, including Muslim representation," the Sikh Coalition, a national civil rights organization that wrote a letter with other four groups, said.

Thanedar on Friday formally launched in the US Congress the caucus that aims to combat religious discrimination and promote religious freedom for Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains.

A congressional caucus is a group of members of the United States Congress that meet to pursue common legislative objectives.

"We are not merely congregating to initiate another caucus; we're assembling to pioneer a movement-one that strives for understanding, inclusion and affirmative policy actions," Thanedar told reporters at a news conference.

"A movement that says every faith, every culture, and every community has a place in America- the land of the free and the home of the brave. My name is Shri Thanedar. I am proof of America's diversity in Congress," he added.

He was flanked by a group of eminent Indian-Americans who had gathered at the steps of the US Capitol from across the country. "Today is significant for numerous reasons. To many of you, the launch of the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain (HBSJ) American Congressional Caucus may seem like a formal procedure, but let me assure you, it is so much more," he said.

However, the Sikh Coalition and the Indian American Muslim Council and two other groups have said that the caucus is missing some vital perspectives from minority South Asians.

"We welcome any caucus to forward the interests of our and other religious communities, so long as it does so in a way that is inclusive of perspectives of the entire South Asian community across faith, caste, and ethnic lines," the letter reads. "We are skeptical, however, that this particular caucus meets that description."

In June, Rep. Thanedar opened up on the caucus plan, initially branding it as a Hindu Caucus in an office memo. He was among the lawmakers who accompanied Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Washington DC and his address to a joint session of Congress, according to a report in NBC News.

"I am very proud of PM Modi," Thanedar said at the time. "He is enormously popular. I am looking forward to working with him to broaden and deepen our relationship."

Supporters of Muslim South Asians and individuals born into caste-oppressed communities have accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of fuelling Hindu nationalist sentiments and resulting in violence targeting them both in India and the diaspora.

"Any caucus without inclusive representation from the Indian diaspora will serve as nothing more than a vehicle for Hindu nationalist policies that will inevitably harm the entire South Asian American community, including Sikh, Muslim, Dalit, Buddhist, Jain, and even Hindu Americans," the letter added.