Connecting Global Threads of Faith Newsletter #2 October
- Oddball Comics
- Nov 4
- 4 min read
Editor’s Note…
The eternal struggle of light against darkness plays out on a global stage, testing cultural identity and demanding spiritual autonomy. Yet, in monuments of devotion and landmark legal truths, the flame of Dharma is reaffirmed, not diminished.
October Newsletter – 2
(October 15 – October 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
A controversial Rutgers University panel on "Hindutva in America" sparked a major backlash from US Congressmen and Hindu organizations for excluding practicing Hindus, making uniformed anti-Hindu claims, and silencing students who felt targeted by the discussion.
Canada
A 51-foot-tall Lord Ram statue, the tallest in North America, has been unveiled in Mississauga, Canada. Made of fibreglass and steel, the structure was sculpted in India and installed at the Hindu Heritage Center, drawing visitors from across the continent.
South America
Trinidad and Tobago
The government of Trinidad and Tobago is supporting a plan to build a Ram Mandir in the capital, aiming to solidify its status as a major Hindu cultural and spiritual hub in the Western Hemisphere. The initiative, proposed by the Overseas Friends of Ram Mandir, is viewed as a way to promote religious tourism and honor the nation's deep-rooted Hindu heritage,
Asia
UAE
Dubai and Abu Dhabi brightly celebrated Diwali with vibrant lights, market activity, special temple prayers, and cultural events.
Pakistan
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's Diwali message of peace drew criticism after a mob reportedly attacked and vandalized a Hindu Diwali celebration in Sindh, highlighting the gap between official rhetoric and the rising intolerance faced by the country's small Hindu minority.
Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), led by Masood Azhar, is forming a new female jihadist brigade called Jamat-ul-Mominat. This brigade is intended to counter "Hindu women" in the Indian armed forces and women journalists, with members undergoing specialized training and recruitment expanding across Pakistan.
Bangladesh
Islamist rallies in major Bangladeshi cities demanded a ban on ISKCON, falsely branded as an "extremist Hindutva organisation." This movement, backed by militants and noted by the interim government, signals escalating Islamist influence and Hindu persecution
Kali Puja (or Shyama Puja), also known as Diwali or the Festival of Lights, will be celebrated tomorrow with great fervor, involving the worship of Goddess Kali at midnight, lighting of lamps, and cultural festivities across the country, especially in major temples and areas like Shakhari Bazar.
The selective persecution, killings, and forced displacement of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh continue with impunity, historically driving the population down from 35% in 1947 to below 8% today. Recent events, including the daylight murder of a Hindu government employee in Noakhali, underscore the sustained climate of fear and insecurity faced by the community, regardless of the ruling party.
India
Diwali, or Deepavali, is a five-day global festival of lights celebrated by billions of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil through lighting diyas, exchanging gifts and sweets, and gathering with family.
The Supreme Court-appointed committee successfully completed the two-day inspection and inventory of the Banke Bihari temple's sealed 'Toshkhana' (treasury) in Mathura, finding various items like old coins and ceremonial sticks, despite opposition from some Goswami members who questioned the committee's authority to open the 54-year-old vault.
Police in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, arrested three individuals, including a pastor, for allegedly attempting to unlawfully convert poor Hindu residents to Christianity through inducements like promises of better living and faith healing.
Following the highly suspicious gold theft from Kerala's Sabarimala temple which the High Court views as a potential conspiracy after 475g of gold went missing during unauthorized repairs, similar questions are now being raised about the Guruvayur temple. A recently released 2019 audit of Guruvayur recorded various assets, including gold, ivory, and 2,000 kg of traditional cookware, as 'missing' or mishandled without proper protocol.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is concerned about "crypto-Christians"—individuals who reportedly practice Christianity while remaining officially registered as Hindus to continue receiving reservation benefits.
The Himachal Pradesh High Court ruled that temple funds belong solely to the deity and devotees, not the state, deeming government misuse a criminal breach of trust. This landmark decision challenges colonial-era control and restores autonomy to Hindu religious institutions.
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