Support For Dismantling Global Hindutva September 1, 2021 The Association for Asian American Studies proclaims its support for the principles of academic freedom. Scholars and activists in North America who document and study Hindutva– a political movement that marginalizes, and endorses the persecution of, Indian minority communities, Dalits, and dissenting Hindus–have faced threats and harassment, as evidenced by events surrounding the recent academic conference held from September 10 to 12, 2021. Members of the conference, which was co-sponsored by more than 53 universities, received death threats against them and their families. Women participants have been subjected to misogynistic threats and religious minorities have been targeted with casteist and sectarian slurs. Sponsoring universities have been inundated with hate mail and accusations of anti-Hinduism. It is our understanding that Hindutva is not equivalent to Hinduism, and scholarly examinations of the ideology of Hindutva are not instances of Hindu-phobia or racism against Hindus. AAAS supports our colleagues researching the Hindutva movement in contemporary South Asian politics and beyond.
06-16-2021 Joint Statement on Legislative Efforts to Restrict Education about Racism and American History We, the undersigned associations and organizations, state our firm opposition to a spate of legislative proposals being introduced across the country that target academic lessons, Read More
05-01-2021 Solidarity with Palestine The Association of Asian American Studies condemns the brutal violence being inflicted on Palestinians in the besieged and blockaded Gaza Strip by Read More
04-01-2021 Supporting Sikh & South Asian Americans and the Indianapolis Shooting Another mass shooting by a white gunman targeting Asian Americans has happened in Indianapolis on April 15, 2021. Matthew Alexander, Samaria Blackwell, Amarjeet Johal, Jasvinder Read More