Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS AWAAZ – SOUTH ASIA WATCH?

Awaaz – South Asia Watch is a UK-based network of South Asian organizations and individuals. It was established in 2002 following the carnage in Gujarat. Awaaz members have signed up to a common platform of secularism, democracy, human rights and tolerance, and will challenge religious hatred and intolerance whichever community it comes from. Awaaz – South Asia Watch is also a limited company. Awaaz is not a charity, though individual members are involved in various charitable and humanitarian projects.

WHAT IS YOUR POLITICAL AGENDA?

Awaaz – South Asia Watch is opposed to the violence, intolerance and hate that Hindutva represents, just as Awaaz is opposed to religious hatred, intolerance and violence in any form. The aims and objectives of Awaaz, and what it stands for, are given on our website. Awaaz is not affiliated to any political party nor does Awaaz subscribe to any single political ideology.

WHO ARE YOUR BACKERS?

Awaaz is an independent network. It receives no funds except those its members contribute out of their own pockets for specific projects. It receives no funds from any political party or government body. Awaaz itself is not affiliated to any political party or religious organisation. We welcome unconditional donations only.

AREN’T YOU ANTI-HINDU?

The RSS is a secretive, hate-driven cult inspired by Fascist and Nazi ideologies. In its branch meetings, RSS members pray to its first two leaders (who both admired Fascism) and not to Hindu deities. The HSS UK is a branch of the Indian RSS. Its members show allegiance to the ideology of the RSS and the founder and second leader of the Indian RSS. The RSS and its parivar has no right to define who is or is not a Hindu.

AREN’T YOU A BUNCH OF MARXISTS / COMMUNISTS?

Awaaz has no affiliation to a political ideology except a common platform of democracy, secularism, human rights and social justice which members and all affiliated organisations have to agree to if they want to become part of the Awaaz network. The key statements and principles to which members sign up to are the aims and objectives of Awaaz.

THE RSS / HSS HAVE SAID YOU ARE MUSLIM / LEFTIST.
THE RSS HAS SAID IT SEES IN AWAAZ A ‘SINISTER CONSPIRACY POSSIBLY INVOLVING THE CHURCH AND PSEUDO-LIBERAL LEFT WRECKERS’

Awaaz has been called: 'Muslim', 'Muslim fundamentalist', 'the Church', 'Christian', 'a Christian conspiracy', 'atheist', 'anti-Hindu', 'self-hating Hindu', 'Leftist', 'Far-Left', 'Communist', 'Liberal', 'Pseudo-Liberal', 'the Asian liberal elite', 'Sabrangi' [Multicultural], 'secularist', 'pseudo-secularist' and so on.

In reality, Awaaz is a secular network of individuals and organisations. Awaaz is concerned with issues of human rights, democracy, secularism and tolerance in South Asia. We have Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Jain and Christian members; we also have members who follow no faith. We have members who consider themselves 'left', 'liberal-left' or simply 'liberals', as well as members who do not use these labels. Attempts to question the motivations or undermine the credibility of organisations and individuals are attempts to deflect from addressing in detail the documented evidence, findings and allegations we have made. We are very happy for the press and media to verify in detail our credentials as secular academics, lawyers, human rights and women's rights campaigners (as much of the press have already done).

WHY ARE YOU ATTACKING INDIA?

Our work is not against India or Indians. A major part of our work is to expose the nature of the fascistic RSS cult of Hindutva in the UK and in India. Hindutva has never represented the aspirations or beliefs of the overwhelming majority of Indians, and it has never represented Indian nationhood. We believe in the vision of India derived from the freedom movement and the Constitution of India, a nation that is a secular, democratic, federal republic firmly committed to minority rights, a key measure of the strength of any democracy. Hindutva organisations like the RSS were formally absent from the Indian freedom movement. Remember also that M. K. Gandhi was murdered by a former member of the RSS, a man completely devoted to Hindutva ideology.

WHY DID YOU ATTEMPT TO PREVENT NARENDRA MODI COMING TO THE UK?
WHY DID YOU ATTEMPT TO ARREST NARENDRA MODI?

WHY DON’T YOU CRITICISE PAKISTAN OR BANGLADESH?

Human rights and the rise of Hindutva in India are issues in their own right and it is completely legitimate to focus on them alone. Hindutva groups and supporters do not like international focus on the atrocities committed by Hindutva organizations. They therefore demand that secular and human rights groups ignore them and focus on Pakistan or Bangladesh or Islam or Christianity - anything, so long as it is not a criticism of the violence, atrocities or abuses committed by Hindutva forces. This is a morally indefensible.

However, for the record, Awaaz members have been involved in active work against both Islamic fundamentalism and military dictatorships in Pakistan and elsewhere. This includes: active work against the Zia ul Haq dictatorship in Pakistan and the institutional / state influence of the Pakistani Jamaati-i-Islami; war crimes by both the Pakistani army and Jamaati forces in Bangladesh; an attempt to arrest General Musharraf and bring him to trial in the UK; action against forced marriages in Pakistan and Bangladesh; the current alliance of Islamist parties in the NWFP and their imposition of shari’a; the role of the Jamaati-i-Islami and its violent student wing in Pakistan, as well as the MQM offshoots of the JI; and the role of Islamist politics in the Pakistani Inter Services Intelligence Directorate and its impact in Afghanistan and Kashmir. We stand firmly opposed to the violation of human rights in Pakistan, Kashmir and Bangladesh, including attacks on and murders of Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Shias, Ahmaddis, secularists and other groups. Several Awaaz members have been involved for decades in work on women’s rights in Muslim countries. Awaaz members have been involved in public campaigns against both Islamic and Sikh extremism in Britain. Awaaz members have directly confronted Islamist groups, both in the UK and in Pakistan.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE ABOUT FOREIGN FUNDING OF CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM CONVERSION ACTIVITIES IN INDIA?

We oppose the funding of religious groups connected to the promotion of violence or hatred. We also believe that raising money from the public for religious purposes has to be made fully known and be completely transparent to those who donate money. We oppose the funding of RSS fronts because they have been implicated or involved in large scale violence or hatred against Indian minorities. The nature of the RSS and its front organizations was not made known to the British public, who donated funds in good faith. If Christian or Muslim charities in the UK were connected to hatred and violence in India, or elsewhere in South Asia, we would similarly oppose their activities. In a democratic society, adults acting of their own free will, of their own volition, and with fully informed consent and knowledge should have the right to adopt a different faith, decide to leave any faith community, decide to adopt no faith at all, choose to become atheists or humanists, choose to remain agnostic, or choose syncretic and hybrid faiths. Awaaz believes in the democratic right of freely chosen entry and freely chosen exit, including specific democratic provisions for exit for women that complement abstract legal rights. Awaaz opposes coercion in matters of faith, whether this is coercion into a faith or coercion preventing individuals freely leaving a faith community. We deplore the politicization of conversions in India and the attempt to deny the fundamental rights of the individual through the use of legal instruments that curtail or ban individual choice and freedom regarding religious beliefs. Awaaz believes in the democratic right of open public persuasion without coercion, and where the fundamental rights of the individual and fully informed consent are paramount. The right to speak, advertise and propagate religion is enshrined in the Indian Constitution; the spreading of religious and anti-minority hatred and violence is entirely contrary to the Constitution of India.

THE HSS / SEWA INTERNATIONAL HAS SAID IT IS UNCONNECTED WITH THE RSS. THE NHSF HAS SAID IT IS NOT AFFILIATED TO THE HSS AND DOESN'T SHARE ITS ADDRESS. THESE GROUPS ACCUSE YOU OF BEING 'MALICIOUS' OR 'LIARS'

Our detractors still have to answer the detailed allegations made by Awaaz. Read RSS literature from India, which repeatedly says HSS, SI and NHSF (National Hindu Students Forum) are absolutely part of its work in the UK. Read HSS guidelines for its activists (vistaraks), which specifically mentions the NHSF as part of its sangh parivar (HSS 'family'). Read RSS publications in India; these list both the NHSF and its publications under the heading 'sangh [i.e. RSS] work abroad'.

We do not claim that all Hindu societies or the students belonging to them support the RSS. We state that NHSF is an HSS affiliate. The term 'affiliate' is the most commonly used term to describe the relation between the RSS and its affiliates. We use it to describe the nature of the relation between the HSS and the NHSF because it is an entirely accurate description. The relation between the NHSF and HSS, and between the NHSF and RSS ideology is very strong indeed. The NHSF itself states: 'NHSF enjoys a close working relationship with HSS UK and benefits from the active involvement of the "karyakartas" (volunteers) within HSS. The spread of this organisation throughout towns and cities in the United Kingdom means that branches of HSS form an integral part of the support network for NHSF UK. Contact with Shakhas [HSS cells] around the country provides students with a direct contact with the local samaj [society] of their University town, hence enabling societies to join local community activities.' http://www.nhsf.org.uk/aboutus.htm.

If you are a member of NHSF or a student Hindu society and are concerned about the extremist RSS links of the NHSF, you can contact us in the strictest confidence.

THE NHSF SAID IT INVITED A MUSLIM SPEAKER TO ONE OF ITS NATIONAL EVENTS RECENTLY. IT ALSO SAID IT IS NOT EXTREMIST AND IS CONCERNED WITH COMMUNITY HARMONY

This is from NHSF's website: "Savages at a very low level of civilisation and no culture worth the name, from Arabia and west Asia, began entering India from the early century onwards. Islamic invaders demolished countless Hindu temples, shattered uncountable sculpture and idols, plundered innumerable palaces and forts of Hindu kings, killed vast numbers of Hindu men and carried off Hindu womem...many Indians do not seem to recognise that the alien Muslim marauders destroyed the historical evolution of the earth's most mentally advanced civilisation, the most richly imaginative culture, and the most vigorously creative society…The efforts of religion-intoxicated and politically active Hindus to rebuild the Ram Mandir, the Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, and the Krishna Mandir are just three episodes in a one-thousand year long Hindu struggle to reclaim their culture and religion from alien invaders. The demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on 6 December 1992 was just one episode in the millennial struggle of the Hindus to repossess their religion-centered culture and nation. Meanwhile, hundreds of ancient Hindu temples forsaken all over Hindustan await the reawakening of Hindu cultural pride to be repaired or rebuilt and restored to their original, ancient glory." http://www.nhsf.org.uk/publications/invasion.htm

So is this: "National Hindu Students Forum (UK) condemns the recent murderous attack on Hindu pilgrims by extremists in Gujarat. The unfortunate and inevitable revenge attacks are also condemned." ('National Hindu Students Forum (UK) condemns the attacks on Hindu Pilgrims’, Statement, National Hindu Students Forum (UK), 4 March 2003.) The NHSF has also vigorously and unceasingly opposed the use of the term 'Asian' since it links Hindus with Muslims.

THE UK HINDUTVA ORGANISATIONS SAY YOU ARE CREATING DISHARMONY AND DIVISION AMONG COMMUNITIES IN THE UK

The UK Hindutva groups don't even want to be referred to as 'Asian' because this term associates them with Muslims in the UK. Religious extremism, alongside the growth of racism and fascism, are key factors which have caused division, disharmony and conflict within and between various UK communities. We stand unreservedly behind the secular tradition of South Asian organisation in the UK that involves members of all communities and groups, not just those following one tradition, ideology or cult. We fail to see how exposing the links of certain charities to extremist groups in India can have any bad effect on community relations. The reason Hindutva groups keep making this claim is because they demand that the British public and media see them as the sole representatives of Hindus and Hinduism, such that any criticism of them is a criticism of Hinduism. We have faith that the British public can tell the difference between a religious community and fundamentalist organisations that seek to use the name of that community and substitute their narrow ideology for the totality and diversity of that community.

WHY HAVE YOU PRODUCED THE REPORT ON HINDUTVA CHARITIES IN THE UK?

• In the name of humanitarian charity, British charities have been giving millions of pounds to fronts of hate-driven, Fascist-inspired organisations in India.
• The British public has unwittingly donated money to these charities under the assumption that this money will be purely used for non-sectarian humanitarian relief.
• The Hindutva organizations funded in India have been involved in hate campaigns and the spreading of hatred against minority communities.
• The Hindutva organisations funded have been implicated or involved in violence or hatred, including during the Gujarat carnage in 2002.
• We demand that the charitable status of these organisations be withdrawn, that the public refuse to donate money to them, and that political patronage for them cease.

WHAT DO YOU AIM TO ACHIEVE WITH THE REPORT?

• Expose the claims of HSS / SI that they are non-sectarian, non-political, non-religious organizations that only provide funds for the purposes of humanitarian relief.
• Raise awareness in the UK among decision makers, politicians and the general public about the nature of these organizations and the consequences of their work for the secular, democratic ethos of India.
• Withdrawal of charitable status and action against the trustees of these organisations.
• To prevent the funding of Hindutva organizations and their hate politics in India.

THE HINDUTVA GROUPS HAVE DENIED ALL THE ALLEGATIONS IN YOUR REPORT

• The RSS’s response to the Awaaz report in fact confirms that it is in strong partnership with these organisations and that we are speaking of a coordinated international operation in which the RSS has the key interest.
• It is easy to deny all allegations rather than deal with the specific and detailed issues we have raised. Blanket denial is a common strategy. It does not mean our allegations are unfounded.
• Also, which specific allegations have they actually denied? That the overwhelming bulk of funds raised from the British public were for RSS front organisations? That the RSS and its family have been indicted for hate or violence? That the VKA which they fund has been involved in violence and hatred? That the RSS leader opened villages funded by the British public? That Sewa International / HSS are RSS branches?

GROUPS HAVE COMPLAINED AWAAZ'S REPORT AND ITS MEDIA COVERAGE IS 'ANTI-HINDU'

Many of the people in Awaaz are Hindus and as Hindus have supported Awaaz's activities. Complaints about the fact that the BBC covered the Awaaz report are odd. As yet, we have not seen a response to the key issues raised in the report, yet there are vociferous complaints that the BBC covered the report in the first place. Is it that those complaining do not want any coverage of an alternative point of view from Hindus themselves, a point of view which unequivocally rejects Hindutva ideology and which supports the media coverage of evidence and data that exposes links between UK organisations and the RSS? This is also an attempt to deflect attention from their moral obligation to answer in detail the specific allegations made in the Awaaz report. For example:

• Did Sewa International fund the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram?
• Did the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram engage in large scale anti-minority violence and hatred in India from 1997-1999 in Dangs, Gujarat and again during the Gujarat carnage in 2002?
• Has Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International indicted several RSS front organisations for large scale violence or the promotion of anti-minority hatred?
• Did Human Rights Watch say that the RSS was one of the organisations most directly implicated in the 2002 carnage?
• Did £2 million pounds of earthquake funds raised from the British public go to RSS fronts?
• Did RSS leaders open villages funded from the UK?
• Was the RSS and its ideology actively promoted and glorified during these events?
• Did money from the British public go towards RSS schools which were reported by a statutory body in India to promote hatred, intolerance and fanaticism?
• Did the overwhelming bulk of funds raised in the name of charity by Sewa International from the British public go to RSS fronts and affiliates?
• Did Sewa International fund a large number of 'one-teacher schools' usually run by the VHP, the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Sewa Bharati, Vidya Bharati (all RSS affiliates)?
• Did Sewa International give (at a minimum) £200,000 to the RSS's front, the UBSS in Orissa?
• Did millions of pounds from the British public go to fronts of an organisation whose founders and key leaders in the 1920s and 1930s wrote in support of or admired Mussolini or Hitler, Fascist Italy or Nazi Germany?
• Why did Sewa International not state it was raising money from the British public with the intention of giving the vast bulk of it to RSS organisations?
• Why does key Sewa International's Gujarat earthquake appeal material (including both earthquake fundraising videos, and its homepage in December 2002) not even mention the HSS, but simply gives the HSS charity number?
• How much money exactly did Sewa International provide for Kosovo refugee relief, the Turkish Embassy earthquake and Somalia in comparison with the millions that have gone to RSS front organizations in India?

WHAT ABOUT CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS FUNDING PROJECTS IN INDIA? ARE YOU SAYING THAT NO RELIGIOUS GROUPS SHOULD BE FUNDED?

• The issue is not about religious funding, but about the funding and promotion of religious hatred or religious violence and the abuse of human rights, all of which have accompanied Hindutva since its inception.
• Numerous Hindu, Christian, Sikh and Muslim organizations and individuals raise funds for humanitarian and relief purposes in south Asia; but the issue is whether these are tied entirely to one dangerous organization, and whether the funds relate to the promotion of hatred and violence.
• We would be opposed to any religious group that promoted hatred and violence or engaged in the abuse of human rights here or abroad. That is Awaaz’s key aim.

THE CHARITY COMMISSION HAVE 'EXONERATED' HSS / SEWA INTERNATIONAL, SO YOUR REPORT WAS WRONG

However, the investigation did confirm what we had claimed all along - that all of the funds raised by Sewa International / HSS for Gujarat earthquake relief and reconstruction went to Sewa Bharati - a key RSS front organization in India. In other words, the British public were donating money that was channelled to an RSS front organization. The report also confirmed that Sewa International did not fully disclose its HSS links. The Charity Commission report also confirmed the existence of the schools projects we had alleged were funded by SI / HSS.

If you do not believe that Sewa International UK, HSS UK, the NHSF are integrally linked to the RSS, and are part of the RSS's mission in the UK, then read the RSS's own publications.We fully stand by our allegations and would welcome a completely public scrutiny of our allegations and of the activities of HSS / Sewa International.

ARE YOU SAYING THAT HINDUTVA GROUPS DID NOT ENGAGE IN HUMANITARIAN RELIEF?

• Hindutva groups work in line with a single strategy, which has the ultimate aim of creating an anti-minority, anti-democratic 'Hindu nation'. You cannot separate the 'constructive' part from the 'destructive' part. Building 13 homes for Muslims cannot be separated from making 200,000 Muslims homeless. You cannot speak of 'social harmony' and 'social integration' while creating so much disorder, polarization, hatred and violence in Indian society. The logic of Hindutva 'benefits' against Hindutva 'costs' is to be rejected entirely.
• These groups are tied and subordinated to the Indian RSS.
• The Indian RSS was founded on an ideology of Hindu supremacy that has rejected the right of Indian Muslims, Christians and other minorities to equal citizenship.
• The service work of the RSS has a political purpose and this is to recruit and build a support base for its activities. Their aim is the destruction of Indian secularism, tolerance and democracy.
• RSS affiliates have publicly stated that Muslims have to be killed, that they should be genetically tested, and that their safety lies in the “goodwill of the majority.” Numerous RSS affiliates have been implicated in hatred and violence. They have repeatedly attacked Christian welfare organisations. Can groups like this claim to be providing non-sectarian humanitarian aid and relief?
• We also show in the report that it isn’t the case that the RSS provided earthquake relief without discrimination and contrary allegations have been made against it. We were also told about hate-driven anti-Muslim, anti-Christian propaganda and violence accompanying RSS relief efforts.

WHY DON’T YOU PUT YOUR TIME AND ENERGIES INTO CONSTRUCTIVE WORK?

Opposing Hindutva is one of the most constructive things people can do for an India that is tolerant, humane, just and democratic.