Connecting Global Threads of Faith Newsletter #2 April
- GHTN Admin
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Editor’s Note
In an age that prides itself on seamless connectivity, it is not information that is scarce, but attention that is selective. What is seen becomes truth, what is ignored dissolves into silence. Between these two lies a troubling asymmetry, one that shapes not only global perception, but moral response.
This report emerges from that silence…
April Newsletter – 2
(April 15 – April 30)
"In a connected world, Hindu struggles and resilience amid violence often remain unseen. This fortnightly report sheds light on these overlooked realities, offering a global overview of incidents affecting Hindus and celebrating our heritage, advocating for Hindu rights and religious freedom worldwide."
North America
United States of America
British newspaper The Guardian revived allegations of labour exploitation and caste discrimination in the construction of the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham despite U.S. authorities closing the case without charges.
The issue highlights a gap between legal findings and continuing international media narratives around Hindu institutions.
Europe
United Kingdom
In the new town of Northstowe, Cambridgeshire, a Hindu charity and a joint Christian-Muslim group are competing for a 999-year lease on a plot of land designated for community and faith use. While the Hindu group seeks to build the county's first temple, council officers have raised concerns regarding their financial track record compared to the collaborative multi-faith proposal.
Asia
Bangladesh
A temple caretaker who had been missing for three days was found dead in a hilly area in Bangladesh's Sadar Upazila on Wednesday, Daily Sun reported citing police.
In Dinajpur, a Kali temple and nearby Christian cemetery were vandalised and set on fire during a violent clash linked to a land dispute, leaving at least six people injured.
According to residents, the attack was led by a hired group led by Rezaul Islam, in an attempt to seize lands traditionally used by the indigenous Murmu and Soren communities.
Pakistan
UN experts have raised alarm over widespread cases of abduction and forced conversion in Pakistan, noting that nearly 75% of victims in 2025 were Hindu girls, mostly aged 14–18.
They highlighted weak law enforcement and impunity, urging stricter laws, proper investigations, and protection for minority girls facing coercion and abuse.
In Sindh, Hindus staged protests after parts of the Kali Mata Temple were vandalised by unidentified individuals, prompting police action and an ongoing investigation.
India
'He asked if I was Hindu, then plunged a knife into my back': Survivor in Mumbai 'lone wolf' attack recounts horrorA survivor of the Mira Road stabbing in Mumbai recounted that the attacker first asked his religion and, upon hearing he was Hindu, stabbed him from behind before he managed to escape.
The incident, now probed as a “lone wolf” attack, is suspected to be driven by self-radicalisation with a possible religious motive targeting Hindus.
The Supreme Court of India observed that in the Sabarimala Temple case, determining entry rights requires examining whether the claimant is a genuine devotee or a non-devotee with no connection to the temple.
The bench was hearing petitions on women’s entry and religious freedom, while also noting the need to balance constitutional rights with the protection of denominational practices.
At Sree Mahavishnu Temple, a Christian hymn performed during a festival sparked objections from some groups, who argued that temples should not host non-Hindu devotional content.
The temple committee defended the event, stating it reflected long-standing local traditions of Hindu-Christian coexistence and community participation.
Authorities at the Kedarnath Temple have imposed a complete ban on the use of mobile phones within the temple premises to maintain the sanctity of the shrine and ensure a peaceful experience for devotees.
The Gangotri Temple Committee has made consumption of panchgavya mandatory for non-Hindus seeking entry into the Gangotri Temple during the Char Dham Yatra, as a declaration of adherence to Sanatan practices.
The move comes amid broader proposals by temple bodies to restrict or regulate non-Hindu entry in major shrines like Kedarnath Temple and Badrinath Temple to preserve religious sanctity.
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