Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA celebrates Black History Month across the US

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, USA (HSS) celebrated Black History Month along with prominent members of the African American community in New Jersey, North Carolina, Illinois, Texas, California, and Oregon. HSS shakhas (chapters) hosted these community leaders as guest speakers to learn more about Black history to draw inspiration for its activities and social causes. Children, youth, and adult participants of HSS listened intently and honored the speakers in the Hindu way.

Black History Month, also known as African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in the history of the United States. Since 1976, every US President has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. For the past few years, HSS has been regularly engaging with the African American community as part of its mission to educate on Hindu Dharma and its values and to foster peace and well-being in American society. Very recently, HSS celebrated Martin Luther King Day around the country participating in many African American events, espousing shared values, and teaching Yoga.

In HSS’ Aurora-Naperville chapter, Clayton Mohammad, Aurora City’s Chief Communications & Equity Officer, delivered a presentation on ‘The Impact of Black Inventions & Ingenuity on Aurora, America and Across the Globe’. Clayton’s own life story and his examples of Black American history gave tremendous insights to HSS youth and adults alike. HSS and Sewa International of Dallas jointly hosted a discussion with four senior African American leaders in McKinney. They were musician and author - Eric Willis, founder of Defy the Odds - David A. Gethers, Sr. Executive Director of Community Care Resource Council - Karl Berry, and Dr. Glen Jones. The event culminated with a tour of the Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple in Frisco.

In an event organized by HSS’ Concord chapter in North Carolina, Willie Fleming, the Founder and President of International Minority Coalition (IMC), called the gesture to celebrate Black History Month and recognize the struggles of the African American community as a “great step forward”. In another event organized by HSS and Hindu Society of North Carolina, four speakers from different streams, including religious, social service, and political, shared their experiences and challenges.

District Court Judge, Shante Burke-Hayer thanked the organizers and appealed for unity to solve issues facing the community. In Oregon, HSS Community Relations Manager, Hiral Pandya, joined Governor Tina Kotek to sign the proclamation recognizing Black History Month. Hiral is Commissioner on the board of the Oregon Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, which sponsored the proclamation. In South Jersey, HSS’ Pranavananda shakha hosted Tangie Cobb along with North Brunswick Township Council President, Rajesh Mehta. Tangie is a theater performer and works for the NB Police Department. She shared insights into African American history with the participants, and also sang the Black African American National Anthem.

Over 90 members of HSS’ Roseville chapter in California hosted Twiana Armstrong, a businesswoman, community influencer, and founder of the non-profit, seeMYchild. She spoke about societal biases and her own experiences overcoming them, and also participated in the exercises and interactive sessions with children and their parents. The Edison NJ chapter of HSS celebrated Black History Month by inviting the Community Oriented Policing Unit of Edison. Four police officers of African American, Indian, Chinese, and Pakistani origins spoke about the importance of diversity and representation in law enforcement, personal safety tips, and upcoming community policing programs. The Folsom CA chapter of HSS invited Citrus Heights councilwoman, Porsche Middleton to their Black History Month celebration. Porsche spoke about the importance of history and culture and shared her journey to become the only Black woman, who served as Mayor in the Sacramento area thus far. Encouraging the women in the audience to get involved in the community, she said, “Women bring a sense of voice and a sense of pragmatism”.

Through the celebration of Black History Month, HSS members all over the country gained profound admiration and inspiration from the African American community’s struggles and historical contributions to America. It remains grateful to our honored guests and wishes to continue building a strong engagement with the community in the coming days!

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.