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Community groups call to cancel Hindi Germantown library event over VHPA
The event, described as a celebration of Hindi language and literature, is part of a broader initiative involving contributions from VHPA-affiliated entities.
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Staff Reporter - Thu, 09, Apr 2026
- 02:50 EDT
- 16
The coalition is calling on the library system and county officials to cancel the April 12 event. / Courtesy photo
A coalition of community organizations and civil rights advocates is calling on Montgomery County Public Libraries to cancel an April 12 event at the Germantown Library, citing concerns about the library’s partnership with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America.
The event, described as a celebration of Hindi language and literature, is part of a broader initiative involving contributions from VHPA-affiliated entities. The coalition said it supports cultural and linguistic programming but questioned whether a public institution should partner with VHPA.
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“Libraries are expected to carefully review their collections and programs,” said Susan Kerin of Peace Action Montgomery. “When there are concerns, the right approach is to pause, review, and have an open discussion.”
Coalition members said their concerns are not about Hinduism, the Hindi language, or cultural expression, but about the involvement of VHPA.
“Partnering with the VHPA, an overtly anti-Muslim group, sends the message that the Germantown Public Library does not care about its Muslim community members,” said Mohammad Jawad, president of the Indian American Muslim Council. “We urge the library to drop the VHPA as a collaborator and work instead with groups that value and celebrate the diversity of the Hindi-speaking community.”
“This is not about Hindi, and it is not about Hinduism,” said Rev. Abhi Janamanchi. “It is about a public library partnering with an organization with documented ties to Hindu nationalist networks linked to religious violence and the persecution of minorities in India.”
Sravya Tadepalli of Hindus for Human Rights said some Hindus are also concerned. “The Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America has platformed multiple anti-Muslim hate mongers, and as Hindus, we are very alarmed,” she said. She called for an end to the partnership and asked county leaders, including County Executive Marc Elrich, to explain the collaboration.
“The concern over the rise of Hindu nationalism—just as its counterpart Christian nationalism—has increased exponentially at the state and county level across our nation,” said the Reverend Neal Christie of The Religious Nationalism Project. He urged local leaders to exercise caution in public partnerships.
“When a public library chooses to partner with an organization driven by an exclusionary ideology that misrepresents Muslim communities and spreads the scourge of caste, it ceases to be a safe space,” said Jebaroja Singh of Dalit Solidarity Forum.
The coalition is calling on the library system and county officials to cancel the April 12 event, end partnerships with VHPA and affiliated groups, and establish clear vetting standards for public programming.
The coalition includes Hindus for Human Rights, India Civil Watch International, Indian American Muslim Council, International Society for Peace & Justice, Maryland Poor People’s Campaign, No Hindutva Maryland, Peace Action Montgomery, The Sikh Coalition and others.
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