No Hindutva MD Holds Protest Against Hate Group Rally in Gaithersburg, MD
Protesters at the VHP's Hate Rally hold sign reading "Babri Masjid Lives On"
Protesters Condemn VHP Rally at Gaithersburg High School
On January 20th, 2024, over 75 protesters came together to condemn the use of Montgomery County Public Schools property for a Hate Rally held by VHP America, a Hindu supremacist organization known for advocating intolerance, discrimination, and violence against Christians, Muslims, and Dalits. The VHP was celebrating the desecration and destruction of an ancient mosque in India by a mob including many of its members in 1992. No Hindutva Maryland and its dozen-plus coalition member groups strong condemn the use of public space for a hate event, and call on County Executive Marc Elrich to publicly apologize for endorsing the event.
The Ram Mandir Controversy and DESEcration of Babri Masjid
One of the most infamous symbols of Hindutva's rise was the destruction of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992. Hindu extremists demolished the centuries-old mosque, claiming it was the birthplace of the Hindu deity Ram. This act of violence, encouraged by Hindutva leaders, triggered widespread riots and bloodshed, particularly targeting Muslim communities. In recent years, the construction of the Ram Mandir on the ruins of the mosque has become a symbol of Hindu supremacist dominance, erasing centuries of shared cultural and religious history. These extremists were largely led by the VHP, which held a Hate Rally to celebrate the event at Gaithersburg High in January.
A Stand for Human Rights
“Today’s successful protest is a victory for Maryland’s commitment to human rights and ethics,” said Scott Webber, No Hindutva MD’s statewide co-chair. “We stand with the everyday Hindus of India, who have had their faith horribly manipulated and misused by extremists, much like Muslims have in the recent past.”
Here’s the updated blog post with the new paragraph on the Ram Mandir and Babri Masjid:
No Hindutva Maryland Coalition Leads the Protest
The protest, organized by the No Hindutva Maryland Coalition—a group of over a dozen civil rights and progressive organizations—saw participants braving the freezing cold for hours, holding signs and carrying out coordinated chants and activities. Many protesters noted that attendees turned their cars around upon seeing them outside Gaithersburg High School, where the rally was held.
A Stand for Human Rights
“That’s a victory for Maryland’s commitment to human rights and ethics,” said Scott Webber, No Hindutva MD’s statewide co-chair. “We stand with the everyday Hindus of India, who have had their faith horribly manipulated and misused by extremists, much like Muslims have in the recent past.”
The Roots of Hindutva in Maryland
No Hindutva Maryland was founded in response to Lt. Governor Aruna Miller’s support for Hindu supremacism. Miller’s ties to the movement have been exposed in numerous articles, with her even describing India’s controversial Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "rockstar." Hindutva, a movement founded by Nazi sympathizers who supported the Holocaust, believes in maintaining the Caste System and promotes the idea that monotheistic faiths like Islam, Sikhism, and Christianity have no place in India. Its leaders have even called for the destruction of Islam's holiest site, Mecca, and for the forced conversion of Indian Christians to a pro-caste version of Hinduism.
