by Jatinder Singh Bedi

CHICAGO – Namdhari Sect Chief Dilip Singh is in Chicago to attend the 2nd World Hindu Congress (WHC) that begins 07 Sep 2018. He is accompanied by a big contingent of his followers who have joined from various states of India, Canada, and the United States. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat has also arrived. Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu will inaugurate the WHC.

Parallel protests have been planned by the groups and organizations opposed the RSS ideology and its modus operandi. The latest communique released by the Sikh Religious Society of Chicago – that runs Palatine Gurudwara here – names the organizations participating in the protests. These include: Organizations / communities participating in this protest event: Alliance for Justice and accountability, Muslims - Indian American Muslim Council, Ambedkar Association of North America, the Sikhs, and the Kashmiris.

Venue of the WHC, Hotel Westin in Lombard near Chicago witnessed beehive activity as delegates continued to arrive all day long. Over 2500 delegates and media men from 80 countries are attending the three-day Congress.

Terming the WHC as a “milestone event,” Sanjay Shah, one of its core organizers states, “It coincides with the 125 Year Celebrations of Swami Vivekanand’s Historic Chicago Address; and this is a great opportunity of the Chicagoans.” He added that the event aims at empowering the women and the youth alike. The Congress that took an 18-months effort to put together is the brain child of Deli-based Swami Pavitranand, Sanjay Shah informed.

A delegation of Namdhari Sect from Bhani Sahib, Ludhian, India

Parallel protests have been planned by the groups and organizations opposed the RSS ideology and its modus operandi. The latest communique released by the Sikh Religious Society of Chicago – that runs Palatine Gurudwara here – names the organizations participating in the protests. These include: Organizations / communities participating in this protest event: Alliance for Justice and accountability, Muslims - Indian American Muslim Council, Ambedkar Association of North America, the Sikhs, and the Kashmiris. This release alleges that the “RSS is further advancing its agenda of hatred and violence on the American soil by legitimizing it under [this] World Hindu Congress.”

Members of Akali Dal (Mann Group) have also circulated the voice messages encouraging and inviting members of Sikh community to join the protests.

Messages calling upon people to join the protest at the WHC have also been circulated by AFMI (American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin ) on its whatsapp group.

AFMI President Dr Tajuddin Ahmed, through the whatsapp messages, has called upon the constituents to press upon their congressman not to attend this Congress. According to Sher Rajput, the organization of the protest has also been discussed at the Mosque on the Elston Ave.

One of the coordinator of the WHC, Swami Yigyananand terms these anticipated protests “as people’s democratic right to disagree.” He argues that the 125 crore Hindus in the world have the right to progress, be powerful, and be visible. The WHC is a step in that direction, he added. He said economy, media, politics, and education are major focus of this 7-track Congress.

Dr Sham Kant Sheth is the convener of the World Hindu Congress, Chicago. The other core members are: Sanjay Shah, Nirav Patel, Vinesh Virani, Shailesh Rajput and Amitab Mittal.