Christian and Islamist Groups Launch Anti-Hindu Seminar Series: “Weaponization of Hinduism” Sparks Outrage Amid Rising Hinduphobia in the US

A New Wave of Anti-Hindu Narratives Emerges in America

In a deeply troubling escalation of anti-Hindu sentiment in the United States, the New York State Council of Churches (NYSCOC) and the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) have jointly hosted a controversial seminar series titled “The Weaponization of Hinduism in Northern California and India and the Relationships to Global Religious Nationalisms.”

Held between November 20–23, 2025, the events took place primarily inside Methodist churches across Northern California. Hindu advocacy groups have condemned the seminars as a coordinated smear campaign that falsely equates Hindus with global extremism while ignoring real instances of anti-Hindu hate crimes.

---

Event Details: A Coordinated Campaign or Interfaith Dialogue?

The four-day seminar series was hosted at:

• United Methodist Churches in Roseville, Alameda, and Santa Rosa
• First Church Berkeley (United Church of Christ)
• A Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in San Jose

Sponsored by the White Christian Nationalisms Task Force of the California–Nevada Conference of the United Methodist Church, the speaker roster included:

• The Reverend Peter Cook
• The Reverend Neal Christie
• The Right Reverend Joshua Lickter

Panelists portrayed Hindu cultural identity and Hindutva as global threats, frequently drawing misleading parallels between Hindu nationalism and white supremacy. Promotional posters accused Hindu communities of funding and promoting extremism — a narrative Hindu groups say is baseless and deliberately inflammatory.

---

Hindu Community Responds: “This Is an Ambush on Peaceful Hindus”

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) sharply criticized the events, calling them “an anti-Hindu propaganda tour disguised as interfaith education.”

HAF also questioned state funding, including potential grants from:

• New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s Office of Faith-Based Initiatives
• California’s interfaith outreach programs

HAF Executive Director Suhag Shukla stated:
“This is an ambush on peaceful Hindu Californians — portraying our ancient faith as a weapon while ignoring real threats like temple vandalism and online hate.”

Other groups, including the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), accused organizers of lecturing Hindus about their own faith and exploiting church spaces to push divisive narratives.

Social media support surged, with hashtags like #StopHinduphobia, #DefendHinduism, and #IAMCExposed trending.

---

IAMC’s Troubled Legacy: Activism or Extremism?

IAMC, a co-organizer of the seminar series, has long been criticized for its aggressive anti-Hindu activism.

Notable controversies linked to IAMC include:

• Opposing the Ram Mandir float at the 2024 India Day Parade in New York
• Spreading misinformation about VHP and Bajrang Dal “terrorist designations”
• Supporting the 2021 “Dismantling Global Hindutva” conference
• Ties to individuals formerly linked with SIMI, Jamaat-e-Islami, and LeT networks
• Running a 2024 “survey” portraying Hindus as inherently intolerant
• Demanding the cancellation of a 2025 Dallas Hindu cultural event

The June 2025 statement by NYSCOC and IAMC labeling a Hindu gathering as “hateful” further reveals a pattern of hostility toward practicing Hindus, critics say.

---

The Larger Trend: Rising Hinduphobia in the United States

Experts note that these seminars are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of Hindu marginalization in North America.

Historical Roots

• 1907 anti-Indian violence in Bellingham
• 1980s “Dot Buster” attacks on Indian women in New Jersey

Recent Escalations

• 1000% surge in anti-Hindu online slurs (2022)
• 500% rise in hate crimes against Indian Americans (FBI, 2020)
• Vandalism at BAPS temples in Sacramento and New York
• Academic bias through reports like Rutgers’ 2025 “Hindutva in America”
• Misinterpretations of Hindu practices as “casteism,” sparking policy battles such as California’s SB-403 caste bill (vetoed in 2023)

Even cultural slurs — such as the viral 2025 rant calling Hanuman a “false god” — reflect deepening ignorance and bigotry.

Why Now?

As India gains global prestige and Hindu identity becomes more visible, anti-Hindu narratives imported from South Asia — often funded by foreign NGOs — are influencing American discourse.

---

A Call to Action: Stand United Against Hinduphobia

Hindu advocacy groups call on:

• Faith leaders
• University administrators
• Elected officials
• Diaspora communities

…to reject these biased seminars and advocate for genuine interfaith understanding.

Share your views below:
What should the Hindu community do to counter rising Hinduphobia?

For more analysis and diaspora news, subscribe to Hindutone.com.