‘We obtain no cash from Indian authorities’: Hindu American Basis slams allegations, says ‘pro-Khalistan’ gurdwara filed false grievance – Instances of India
The Hindu American Basis slammed reviews of a plea for an investigation into its reference to the Indian authorities and stated it has been singled out by a ‘pro-Khalistan’ gurdwara, whereas HAF receives no cash, directions or authorized route from the Indian authorities. The assertion got here in response to the Fremont Gurdwara Sahib approaching the Division of Justice to launch a nationwide safety investigation to find out whether or not the non-profit needs to be required to file as an Indian international agent. “The HAF has facilitated conferences between international principals and US lawmakers, platformed international principals at their very own occasions, and persistently and unequivocally advocated for the pursuits of the BJP on each home and international coverage issues,” a consultant for the Gurdwara wrote in a letter to Pam Bondi, the US legal professional basic — as repoprted by the Guardian. “If DOJ utilized the identical logic used within the grievance, many revered diaspora orgs can be pressured to register as international brokers only for internet hosting cultural occasions. That’s not legislation enforcement—it’s selective enforcement,” HAF stated. “HAF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based mostly in Washington, DC, run by US residents, funded by US donors, and accountable to US legislation. We now have platinum transparency score as a nonprofit,” it stated, including that collaborating in diaspora occasions together with these involving international chief,s is authorized and customary; a number of different organizations additionally did that. “HAF advocates for civil rights, correct training, and non secular freedom for Hindu People. We now have stood towards violence—whether or not by Khalistan separatists, Islamists, or Hindu extremists. Our coverage positions are public, authorized, and rooted in our mission—not directed by any international state. We help FARA enforcement when warranted. However smearing US nonprofits based mostly on diaspora engagement is a misuse of the legislation.“HAF stated that the allegations towards it that it acts as an unregistered international agent is legally unfounded, factually incorrect and harmful for civil society. “The allegation towards HAF was filed by Lex Politica, a right-wing legislation agency retained by a pro-Khalistan gurudwara in California. Khalistan is a secessionist motion calling for a theocratic Sikh state carved out of India, linked to the worst Canadian terrorist assault in historical past. Khalistan is opposed by the overwhelming majority of Sikhs globally,” it stated.
