Hindi Books Event Cancelled In US For Spreading 'Hindutva', VHP Slams 'Hinduphobic Groups'

Last Updated:April 13, 2026, 16:30 IST

An event aimed to celebrate the addition of over 160 new Hindi-language books in Montgomery was cancelled after a coalition of groups opposed the VHP America's involvement.

A group of US public libraries in the US State of Maryland cancelled a planned Hindi-language event at its Germantown branch on Sunday after protests from a coalition of religious, civil rights, and community organisations over its links with the American affiliate of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and spreading ‘Hindutva’ ideology.

The event, titled “Many Languages, One Library: Celebrating Hindi", aimed to celebrate the addition of over 160 new Hindi-language books to the library’s collection, funded in part by the Balvihar Hindi School, which is affiliated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), according to report by US news outlet Bethesda Today.

However, groups such as the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), Hindus for Human Rights, the Sikh Coalition, and Dalit Solidarity Forum USA and others protested against the event, expressing concern over VHPA’s involvement.

The coalition wrote a letter on April 8, describing VHPA as promoting Hindutva and arguing that its involvement in the event risks introducing exclusionary ideas into public institutions in the US. “This concern is not about Hinduism, Hindu culture, or the Hindi language. It is about political ideology entering public institutions under the guise of cultural programming," it said.

Sravya Tadepalli of Hindus for Human Rights added: “The Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America has platformed multiple anti-Muslim hate mongers, and as Hindus, we are very alarmed." Other voices in the coalition, including representatives from Dalit Solidarity Forum and The Religious Nationalisms Project, also raised issues around exclusionary ideology and inclusive spaces in US public institutions.

VHPA Slams ‘Hinduphobic Groups’

The Montgomery County Public Libraries (MPCL) cancelled the scheduled event after opposition from several groups. The MPCL is run by the Montgomery government and operates 22 branches with over 1.6 million items in its collection, according to the report.

“This Sunday’s Hindi language event will not be taking place. Due to significant interest from the community, Montgomery County Public Libraries is reimagining how it celebrates the Hindi-speaking community and new additions to its collection, with a focus on ensuring an inclusive and community-centred approach," the MPCL said on its website.

In response to the backlash, VHPA Vice President Shyam Tiwari described it as a “misinformation campaign" by “Hinduphobic groups". He told Bethesda Today that the book initiative started as a grassroots effort by local residents eager to contribute to their community, stressing that the VHPA does not encourage hostility toward any religion.

Meanwhile, three South Asian American Democrat party candidates for Montgomery County Council, including Arif Wali of Afghan descent, Hamza Khan of Pakistani heritage, and Prabu Selvam of Indian origin, shared a joint statement, in which they stressed that they grew up with Hindi language and culture as part of their everyday lives.

“This is not about opposing Hindi literature. It is about ensuring that Montgomery County does not provide a platform for organisations whose documented record includes the promotion and normalisation of hate," they wrote in a statement shared with American Bazaar. “Montgomery County must remain a place where diversity is protected – not selectively celebrated."

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