WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the nation’s largest and most prominent civil and human rights coalition, officially welcomed the Hindu American Foundation as a new member on Wednesday.
The conference’s board voted to induct the Hindu American Foundation because of its work on social justice issues, particularly its ongoing Hindu 101 training for the Department of Justice, as well as its overall contributions to promoting equality and dignity throughout the country’s communities. The membership aligns HAF with a laundry list of prestigious civil and human rights organizations, including the NAACP, the American Civil Liberties Union, Anti-Defamation League, National Organization for Women, National Urban League, Human Rights Campaign, and the Japanese American Citizens League.
Suhag Shukla, executive director of the Hindu American Foundation, said the recognition of the conference was a pillar moment of the foundation’s existence, which was founded in 2003. The ultimate goal since the foundation’s inception has been for the fostered growth and advocacy for the rights of Hindu Americans and promoting pluralism.
“This is one of the highest honors for HAF,” Shukla said. “To be part of a coalition that has been critical in promoting equality and justice for all is a testament to the work we’ve done over the years. We’re deeply grateful to the Conference for welcoming us to the fold.”
The Leadership Conference was created in 1950 as the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights by A. Philip Randolph; Roy Wilkins of the NAACP; and Arnold Aronson, leader of the National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council. The trio of visionaries believed their fierce fight for social justice could be better fought by merging the powers of their agencies into a coalition, rather than with individual efforts.
“To be a part of this venerable coalition, which has been a force in advocating for the rights of all, is truly humbling,” said HAF’s director of education, Murali Balaji. “To be a part of this coalition is a reminder of the late Whitney Young’s quote:‘We didn’t all come over on the same ship, but we’re all in the same boat.’.”
WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the nation’s largest and most prominent civil and human rights coalition, officially welcomed the Hindu American Foundation as a new member on Wednesday.
