During February 2024, volunteers of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS) engaged with and honored African American community leaders to commemorate Black History Month. HSS chapters in Buffalo Grove, IL, Chandler, AZ, Charlotte, NC, Chicago, IL, Cincinnati, OH, Columbus, IN, Parsippany, NJ, Plainsboro, NJ, Sacramento, CA, and Woodbridge, NJ invited distinguished African American personalities as a part of the Black History Month celebration.

Calisa Horton and Marvin Francis from General Electric’s (GE) African American Forum (AAF) participated in the HSS event in Cincinnati, OH. They shed light on significant milestones in Black History, including the reconstruction era, Civil Rights era, and modern times. They also discussed the impact of the Indian freedom struggle on the Civil Rights movement.

Public Speaking Champion and Author Ant Blair delivered a powerful speech at the HSS event in Columbus, IN. Reflecting on his experience, Blair expressed appreciation for the warm welcome from the local Hindu community, emphasizing the universal language of humanity.

In Chicagoland’s HSS chapter, Aurora City’s diversity, equity, and inclusion, (DEI) officer Clayton Mohammad presented the ‘Annual Black History Month Lecture.’ HSS members found alignment with Mohammad’s emphasis on the importance of authentic cultural connection beyond formal settings. At the Buffalo Grove, IL Chapter, State Senator Adriane Johnson highlighted the significant contributions of the African American community to American society.

Mrs. Twiana Armstrong, a small business owner and community leader, participated in the Black History Month event in Sacramento, CA. She gave a very inspirational speech on Martin Luther King Jr. and how we can take his inspiration into our lives.

Willie Flaming, President of the International Minority Coalition, joined several other Black leaders at the HSS events in Charlotte, NC. Almost everyone from the panel talked about what ‘Black History Month’ meant to them. Some of the keywords from their speeches expressed the common theme of ‘Understanding one’s history is critical to forging a path forward with love, kindness, empathy, peace, belonging for the whole community’.
Pastor Loretta Hall, African American parent support group president, and Board of Education DEI advisor Ms. Latoya engaged in conversations with HSS members at separate Black History Month events held by the HSS New Jersey Chapter.

In the North Phoenix chapter, Ms. Bella Denise, President of Padres Unidos AZ, and Ms. Monika, an independent political consultant, shared insights about the significance of Black History Month in America today. In Chandler, AZ, City Vice-Mayor Honorable OD Harris and Marcel Wright, a leader supporting DEI, were invited as chief guests. Vice Mayor Harris emphasized the importance of celebrating Black History Month and encouraged the younger generation to develop leadership skills and help those in need, drawing on his childhood experiences.

These events served as a platform for celebrating the rich history and achievements of African Americans while fostering understanding and collaboration between the Hindu and African American communities. The focus on dialogue and shared experiences aligns with the spirit of Black History Month, encouraging education, remembrance, and a commitment to building a more inclusive future.

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) USA pays its deepest reverence to Hind Ki Chaadar, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth Guru of the Sikh faith, on the 350th anniversary of his supreme sacrifice. In November 1675, at Chandni Chowk in Delhi, India, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji gave his life to uphold the universal right to freedom of faith and conscience, standing firmly against tyranny and persecution.

His unparalleled courage remains an eternal symbol of righteousness, devotion, and resistance to oppression. The martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is a glorious chapter in history and a timeless, universal inspiration for humanity to uphold justice, truth, and Dharma.

On this historic occasion, HSS USA calls upon Hindu organizations and communities to commemorate the anniversary with educational, cultural, and interfaith initiatives that reflect Guru Ji’s immortal teachings of mutual respect and universal brotherhood. The truest tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji lies in spreading his eternal message of Dharma and freedom of conscience, so that the bonds of mutual cooperation and harmony remain ever strong.

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) USA welcomes the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision to close its investigation without charges against Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) or the Akshardham Temple in Robbinsville, NJ.

What began in 2021 as baseless allegations of caste discrimination grew into a troubling attempt to target Hindu beliefs and tarnish a peaceful, law-abiding community. This effort sought to shame a micro-minority that has long stood for inclusion, service, and the timeless value of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family.

We commend BAPS for its integrity and unwavering faith throughout this ordeal. We thank Hindu individuals and organizations nationwide who responded with unity, dignity, and resolve. Their example reflects the best of our tradition and our commitment to America’s pluralistic values.

We call on public leaders to reflect on the damage such unfounded narratives can cause. We urge sincere engagement with practicing Hindu voices to ensure that decisions impacting our community are informed, respectful, and just.

Let this be a turning point—for deeper understanding, greater inclusion, and continued contributions of Hindus to the American story.

Dr. Shankar Rao Tatwawadi ji

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) USA joins the global Hindu community in mourning the passing of Dr. Shankar rao Tatwawadi at the age of 92 in Nagpur, India. Shankarrao ji, as he was fondly known, was the former international coordinator of HSS and an academic scholar. As a Sangh pracharak, he chose to dedicate his later years to the ideals of Dharma, Sangh, and society.

After completing his MSc in Chemistry from Nagpur University and his doctoral studies from Benaras Hindu University in India, Shankarrao ji undertook post-doctoral research in the United States at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Kansas in the mid-1960s. He then joined BHU as a professor in the Department of Pharmacy, where he later became the Head of the Department. Having seen the situation of Hindus around the globe, he took early retirement and devoted himself to organizing Hindu society outside India under the banner of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS). With this passion, Shankarrao ji led the expansion of HSS in the US, often weaving through cities in Greyhound buses to meet Hindus and bringing them together. In 1993, he became the Vishwa Vibhag Samyojak International coordinator for HSS, working tirelessly towards the organization and unity of Hindus globally. In 2011, Dr. Tatwawadi joined Vijnana Bharati in India as a Margadarshak or guide, mentoring scientists and engaging with prominent personalities in the scientific field.

We, at Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, were blessed to have received his guidance and vision. His affable personality, warm interactions, and scholarly insights encouraged many of us to commit deeper to our mission of Hindu unity, values, and service. As we mourn his passing, we also celebrate his inspiring journey, cherishing the wisdom and ideals he imparted to us.

ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पूर्णमुदच्यते ।
पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA strongly condemns the recent attack on the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha Hindu Temple in Chino Hills, California.

Over the past five years, there have been 15 to 20 incidents of vandalism targeting various Hindu temples across cities and towns in the United States. Alarmingly, six of these—including the most recent case—have specifically targeted BAPS Hindu temples.

Despite these repeated attacks, no perpetrators have been apprehended or brought to justice. This wave of vandalism is compounded by ongoing social media bullying and misinformation campaigns against American Hindu communities and organizations. Such unchecked hostility emboldens those who seek to use violence as a means of making political statements against the Hindu community. It also fuels a divisive agenda that fosters unwarranted fear and misunderstanding about Hindus, a peace-loving community that actively contributes to American society through social service, arts, culture, entrepreneurship, education, and economic growth.

We firmly believe that this rising climate of hostility does not affect Hindus alone—it threatens the fabric of American society as a whole. Hatred, when left unchecked, transcends boundaries and endangers the principles of pluralism and coexistence that define this nation.

We urge elected officials, community leaders, media, educators, and law enforcement authorities to recognize the gravity of this attack. Addressing such crimes requires not only thorough investigation and accountability but also a broader effort to raise awareness and combat hate through education and responsible media coverage.

Now more than ever, it is crucial for all sections of society to stand together in solidarity, uphold the values of peaceful coexistence, and serve as a model of unity for the rest of the world.