By Madhu Hebbar
In today’s divided world of talks about identity and diversity in America, the Rutgers Center for Security, Race and Rights (CSRR) released a report in May 2025 called “Hindutva in America: An Ethnonationalist Threat to Equality and Religious Pluralism.” It describes Hindutva – which is wrongly portrayed as Hindu nationalism (ala Western or European nationalism) , as a dangerous far-right idea that’s harming U.S. diversity. In reality , as laid out here , it is an inclusive philosophy which is based on ancient Hindu saying vasudhaiva kutumbakam (World is a family).
This CSRR report claims that Hindu groups in the U.S. are secretly working for India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), spreading hate against Muslims, changing history, and limiting free speech in schools. But as outlined below, the report is full of bias, wrong facts, and anti-Hindu feelings. It’s meant to weaken Hindu groups while ignoring real dangers to Hindus.
Hindutva is a ruse
Hindutva comes from Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s book in 1923. It focuses on cultural togetherness and bringing people together for those who see India as their home. The Rutgers report calls it “Hindu supremacy,” but that’s not accurate.
In this situation, it’s key to understand how the RSS views “Hindu Nationalism.” For the RSS, it’s not the same as nationalism in Europe or the West. It’s also important to break the false idea spread by colonial and Marxist historians. They claim that nationalism in India only started because of British rule, so it copies European nationalism. But the paths of European nationalism and Hindu nationalism are totally different. Their scholarship on nationalism totally ignores the seminal work of Radha Kumud Mookerji ‘Nationalism in Hindu Culture’ published in 1921 and Sri Aubindo’s work on the spiritual basis of Indian nationalism.
Real target is Hindu Americans
The report names groups like HAF, CoHNA, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) as part of a Hindutva network. It uses selective examples, such as lobbying efforts or cultural activities to imply threats (to Muslims or America) without community input or verifiable data.
It calls for universities, governments, and corporations to cut ties with these groups, impose transparency requirements (e.g., as foreign agents), and monitor their activities—echoing historical exclusions of minorities. This could affect Hindu students, who already face harassment, by painting symbols like the swastika , festivals like Holi or advocacy against Hinduphobia as suspicious.
Even though the report tries to separate Hindutva and Hinduism (Hindutva means Hinduness) the real target of this report is Hindu Americans and Hinduism. This was in full public glare in the 2021 online conference Dismantling Global Hindutva supported by tsome of he same entities.
The report uses RSS connections as a “proxy” to critique and target these Hindu American organizations by framing them as extensions of a supremacist ideology (verifiably false, see RSS is a proxy below) that promotes Hindu ethnonationalism, anti-Muslim discrimination, caste hierarchies, and foreign political influence in the U.S. This is a biased tactic of “guilt by association” designed to delegitimize Hindu American civic engagement without evidence of wrongdoing
RSS is a proxy
Rashtreeya Swayamsevak Sangh ( RSS), which has millions of volunteers in India working on good causes. RSS has been unfairly criticised by the left leaning activists and academics by totally ignoring the enormous amount of good work done by its volunteers. Over 100 years Sangh has participated in freedom struggle, fought to restore democracy (see what western newspapers have said about RSS), worked to eliminate discrimination in the society ,developed models of sustainable development to list a few of the achievements. More can be found here
As the RSS celebrates 100 years in India, it has become the world’s biggest non-government organization (NGO). It gets respect from Hindu people for its selfless work and efforts to build the nation. Even people not in politics sent messages for the 100-year mark. For example, spiritual leader Sadhguru said, “Congratulations on completing a hundred years of service and sacrifice of a very silent sort.” Swami Avdheshanand Giri called it “the world’s most disciplined, cultured, and well-organised organisation,” and added, “It is a matter of great pride that the RSS is completing 100 years.” Actor Sanjay Dutt praised “100 years of dedication, discipline, and nation-building.” The Dalai Lama described its work as “a rare and unparalleled example of dedication” in education, social work, and keeping culture alive.
The CSRR report’s methods – like using feelings analysis and picking only certain facts – are weak. It uses “loaded language, false equivalences, and cherry-picking to misrepresent Hindutva,” as HinduPACT’s response points out. It wrongly compares Hindutva to far-right groups in the West, ignoring that it started as a fight against colonial rule.
Doubts About the Authors and Funding
The CSRR is run by Sahar Aziz, who has no real knowledge of South Asian topics based on her background. The report’s authors are not named, which makes people suspicious. As New India Abroad notes, “The lack of transparency begs the question: Why are these academics distancing themselves from their own work?” One connected person, Audrey Truschke, who might be the unnamed “AC,” has been criticized for anti-Hindu comments, like calling Rama a “misogynistic pig” and saying the Bhagavad Gita excuses “mass slaughter.”
The funding comes from places like George Soros’s Open Society Foundations and links to groups such as the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) and Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR), which some say have ties to extremist Islamic and Sikh groups. The CSRR is even being investigated by the U.S. Senate for spreading anti-Jewish views and supporting people who back terrorists. The Stop Hindu Dvesha response says, “That same apparatus is now turned against Hindus, with no acknowledgment of its own ideological baggage.”
Hindu Groups: Helpers, Not Haters
Organizations like the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), and Sewa International are wrongly called RSS puppets and are accused of spreading hate. Hindu Americans are a minority in the USA making up close to 2 % of the USA population and these organizations really work on advocacy of civil rights, cultural events, education (YOGA, teacher appreciation) and help during natural disasters. The report baselessly calls for Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) investigation whereas they are legitimate non-profit organizations with complete transparency following all the rules and regulations as applicable.
Real Impact – Creating Hateful environment for Hindus
Hindu Americans actually help with diversity by fitting into society well. But the report’s story could lead to violence. OpIndia warns, “The likes of Audrey Truschke… have created a hateful environment for Hindus worldwide.” It’s like a follow-up to the 2021 Dismantling Global Hindutva conference, which caused more division. The Stop Hindu Dvesha response calls it “narrative warfare, designed to stigmatize a global community’s right to exist with dignity.”
In the end, the Rutgers report is an example of anti-Hindu bias pretending to be research. The real harm done by such reports is the environment of hate that is created by these false and baseless allegations leading to attack on Hindu places of worship and businesses. A number of hindu organizations have been alerting the Hindu community and the state and federal administrations to take steps against such attempts.
References
CSRR in the News – Center for Security, Race and Rights –
https://csrr.rutgers.edu/newsroom/reports
Response to Rutgers Center for Security, Race and Rights Report “Hindutva in America: An Ethnonationalist Threat to Equality and Religious Pluralism” – HinduPACT –
Rutgers Hindutva in America narrative amplified anti-Hindu bias and defending Khalistani extremists
Rutgers University Part 1 A nexus for antiHindu and antiIndia narratives –
Rebuttal to Rutgers’ Hindutva Report –
Sadhguru Honors RSS’s Century of Nationalism & Sacrifice with a … –
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPS5DzTgbuL/
Swami Avdheshanand Giri Says RSS Made India Invincible –
100 years of dedication, discipline, and nation-building. Rashtriya … –
HH Dalai Lama greets RSS on Centenary, Hails Bharat as … –
About the Author
Madhu Hebbar, an engineer, is an IIT graduate, living in the greater Los Angeles area. He is a practicing Hindu and an avid reader who is interested in Eastern philosophies and their general application to Western challenges. He is engaged in coaching youngsters interested in Hindu civilizational history, universal values, and their modern-day relevance. He has contributed to many intellectual engagements for a decade-plus in the Hindu community across the U.S. He is a keen student /observer of the media, trying to understand motives, narratives, and their impact on people and society.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Voice of Hindus. Any content provided by our contributors or authors is their opinion.
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