In the past two years or so, there have been reports floating around, stating that the Indian diaspora in the US, UK, and Canada, uses its power to have a say in the political structure of the country. The groups have been accused of using their power getting the win for preferred electoral candidates that are most sympathetic towards the community in the countries as well as in India. As such, there have also been allegations that India uses the Indian diaspora in the countries to influence their political management.
Lately, reports have also claimed that Hindu Nationalism is being funded in the US. There has been little evidence to prove any of these reports. But the most intriguing question is whether the Indian diaspora is actually so strong that it can have a say in these matters? The latest report, clouded in mystery regarding its author, says that Indian entities, that are affiliated with Indian Hindu groups, are investing tons of money to promote the agenda of Hindu Nationalism.
A report, authored by Jasa Macher, says that 24 bodies with net assets worth at least US $97.7 million are involved in funding the Hindu Nationalism. These include charitable groups, think tanks, political advocacy groups, and entities that work on higher education, which are all affiliated in some way with Hindu groups in India.
The report titled ‘Hindu Nationalist Influence in the United States, 2014-2021 – The Infrastructure of Hindutva Mobilizing’ was received by ThePrint. The report says that of the 24 entities, 7 spent at least $158.9 million between 2001 to 2019. The report also details how these organizations are influencing American education systems and other areas to promote the interests of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – led Indian government.
