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Two Indian-American faith leaders named 2026 Vote Is Sacred Fellows
Through the fellowship, participants receive training in pluralism and strategies for drawing on faith traditions to support elections.
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Staff Reporter - Sat, 28, Feb 2026
- 01:50 EST
- 30
Ria Chakrabarty and Aasees Kaur / Interfaith America and Sikh Coalition
Interfaith America has named Ria Chakrabarty of Hindus for Human Rights and Aasees Kaur of the Sikh Coalition as 2026 Vote Is Sacred Fellows, joining more than two dozen civic and faith leaders working to strengthen engagement ahead of the midterm elections.
Chakrabarty, senior policy director at Hindus for Human Rights, and Kaur, community development director at the Sikh Coalition, were selected as part of a diverse cohort drawn from a range of faith traditions and civic backgrounds.
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The fellows will develop strategies and projects aimed at promoting constructive engagement with the 2026 midterms and tackling complex questions surrounding U.S. elections.
Highlighting the connection between her faith and civic life, Chakrabarty said, “We believe that democracy is a deeply held Hindu value. It allows each individual to pursue their choices and celebrates the diversity in our shared humanity.”
Hindus for Human Rights said it is “deeply proud” of Chakrabarty’s leadership and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the national effort.
Announcing Kaur’s selection on X, the Sikh Coalition wrote, “Join us in congratulating our Community Development Director, Aasees Kaur, who was named a 2026 Vote Is Sacred Fellow with Interfaith America.”
The organization added that fellows “will reach across divides to work together and uplift each other in their sacred work on elections.”
Kaur was promoted to community development director in May 2025. She previously served as a senior programs consultant beginning in June 2024 and rejoined the Sikh Coalition staff as senior community development manager in January 2025.
The 2026 Vote Is Sacred Fellows represent a wide range of identities, perspectives and beliefs, reflecting Interfaith America’s focus on pluralism in action and cooperation across divides.
Through the fellowship, participants receive training in pluralism practices and strategies for drawing on faith traditions to support elections. They collaborate on election-related initiatives at the state and national levels, building networks designed to bridge differences while advancing civic participation.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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