Hindu Supremacy: Biju Mathew and Karthikeyan Shanmugam
In 2024, Southern Poverty Law Center staff interviewed eight experts and advocates working in the human rights space to explore the topic of Hindu supremacism and the myriad ways this ideology shows up in the United States. Each interview touches on topics ranging from supremacist movements to overlaps with SPLC-designated hate and hard-right groups to class and caste. It is the hope this interview series will educate and provide perspective on how these issues impact civil society and the country at large. More information can be found at: politicalresearch.org and wearesavera.org.
In this interview, we talk to Karthikeyan Shanmugam, Convener at Ambedkar King Study Circle, and Biju Mathew, Executive Director at India Civil Watch International, about class and socioeconomic divisions, legislation to prevent caste discrimination in the U.S. and how Hindu supremacist groups are responding and how civil rights activism can be more vocal about fighting caste issues.
Can you each tell me about your advocacy work when it comes to responding to Hindu supremacists and Hindu networks.
How do caste and socioeconomic class divisions overlap with white supremacist ideology that permeates U.S. institutions and culture?
What are the implications of legislation that seeks to challenge caste discrimination and how are Hindu supremacists responding?
You’ve both said that civil rights activism needs to be more vocal about fighting caste issues, but what else can be done to raise awareness?
For more on the series go here. For the full interview transcript go here.
