COMMUNITY leaders from the Indian-American diaspora met Congressman James McGovern and discussed the spike in atrocities on Hindus in various parts of the world, including Pakistan and Bangladesh.
McGovern, who is the chairman of the House Rules Committee and the Democratic co-chair of the bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, voiced concern over human rights violations in different parts of the world.
The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, the World Hindu Council, Sewa International, ISKCON, 75at75 Foundation, Kashmiri Hindu Foundation, Swaminarayan BAPS Group, Global Indians for Bharat Vikas, Saheli Boston and many other organisations discussed the issues in detail with McGovern in Boston over the weekend, according to a statement issued in New York.
During the meeting with the Democratic Party lawmaker, Sanjay Kaul, vice president, World Hindu Council of America, presented details of the atrocities against Hindus and other minority communities in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as in Kashmir, it said.
Kaul also highlighted details of the recent attacks against Kashmiri Pandits and Hindu migrants in the Kashmir valley.
Vanmali Pandit Dasa from ISKCON highlighted the recent attacks on Hindus and Hindu priests in Bangladesh.
Pramit Maakoday of Global Indians for Bharat Vikas (GIBV) shared with the attendees details of the ‘Boston Center of Excellence for Health and Human Development' and ‘75at75 Initiative' both of which focus on large-scale programmes by the Indian-American community for the local American society.
The ‘75at75 Initiative’, part of the celebration of India's 75th Independence, includes training American army veterans for Yoga, mindfulness, and breathing techniques to alleviate stress-related issues, the statement said.
Another programme provides high-quality education and coaching for 75 hours to American students in science, technology, engineering, and maths focusing on computer programming.
On the occasion, the community leaders presented the Bhagavad Gita to McGovern.
(PTI)
Lord Karan Bilimoria speaks during the event
Zia Yusuf