A bulldozer that has become a symbol of oppression of India's Muslim minority rolled down the street during a parade in New Jersey. At an event in Anaheim, California, a shouting match broke out between people who were celebrating the holiday and those who were protesting.
Indian Americans from different faiths have co-existed in the US for a long time. The recent events in the U.S. and the violent confrontations between Hindus and Muslims in England have raised concerns that political and religious differences in India are starting to affect diaspora communities.
The rise of Hindu nationalism in India has been led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party. Some Hindus say Modi's silence emboldens right-wing groups and threatens national unity because of the rising attacks against Muslims.
The dean of religious life at the University of Southern California said that Hindu nationalism has split the Indian expatriate community. It has a high number of students from India.
Tensions have not yet appeared on campus. USC received backlash for co-sponsoring an online conference called "Dismantling Global Hindutva"
The aim of the event was to spread awareness of Hindutva, Sanskrit for the essence of being Hindu, a political ideology that claims India as a predominantly Hindu nation with some minority faiths with roots in the country. Muslims and Christians are excluded from that. Hinduism, an ancient religion practiced by 1 billion people around the world, emphasizes the oneness and divine nature of all creation.
It's important that universities remain places where we are able to talk about issues that are grounded in facts in a civil manner.
"If someone is being attacked for their identity, ridiculed or scapegoated because they are Hindu or Muslim, I'm most concerned about their well-being," he said.
Anantanand Rambachan, a retired college religion professor and a practicing Hindu, said his opposition to Hindu nationalism and association with groups against the ideology sparked complaints from some at a Minnesota temple where he has taught religion classes. He said that he doesn't agree with the labels of being anti-Hindu or anti- India.
The Managing Director of the Hindu American Foundation in Washington, D.C. said that many Hindu Americans feel vilified and targeted for their views.
Even agreeing with the Indian government's policies unrelated to religion can lead to being branded a Hindu nationalist.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America has been counseling young Hindu Americans who have lost friends because they refuse to support India.
They are assumed to be Hindu nationalist if they don't take sides or have an opinion. They are held against them because of their country of origin.
The Dismantling Global Hindutva conference was criticized for being "Hinduphobic" by both organizations. The conference supporters don't agree that calling out Hindutva is anti-Hindu.
Sravya Tadepalli is a 25-year-old Hindu American who believes in speaking up. Tadepalli said her activism against Hindu nationalism is informed by her faith.
She believes that Hindus have a moral obligation to speak out for the equality of all human beings if that is the fundamental principle of Hinduism. It's our duty to correct the situation if any human is being treated less than they are entitled to.
Tadepalli said her organization works to correct misinformation on social media that is spread across the globe.
In June, police in Udaipur arrested two Muslim men accused of killing a Hindu tailor and posting a video of the crime on social media. According to reports, the slain man shared an online post in support of the governing party official who was suspended for making offensive remarks against the prophet Muhammad.
Minority groups, particularly Muslims, have been attacked by Hindu nationalist groups over issues such as food and wearing head scarves. Critics say a growing pattern of "bulldozer justice" has resulted in the demolition of Muslims' homes.
Muslim Americans fear for the safety of their family in India. Shakeel Syed is the executive director of the South Asian Network, a social justice organization based in California.
Syed grew up in India in the 1960s and 1970s in a more inclusive culture.
He said that his Hindu friends would come to his celebrations. We would leave our house keys with our Hindu neighbor when we went on vacation, and they would do the same when they left town.
Syed thinks violence against Muslims has become normalized in India. Girls in his family are considering removing their headscarves because of fear.
Hindu friends in the U.S. are reluctant to engage in a dialogue because they are afraid of being retaliated against.
He said that a conversation is still happening, but it is happening in pockets with people who are like minded. It's not happening between people who disagree.
A Houston-based Hindu activist holds a different viewpoint. He said that the tension between Hindus and Muslims in the West is the result of a deliberate attempt by religious and ideological groups that are against Hindus.
The term "Hindu nationalism" is only used to refer to love for one's country and religion. He believes that India is ravaged by conquerors and that Hindus do not seek to convert or colonize.
He stated that they have a right to recover their civilization.
The co- founder and executive director of the Washington D.C.-based Indian American Muslim Council said he is sad to see uneducated Hindus not taking Hindu nationalism seriously. Hindu Americans must make a decision about how India and Hinduism should be seen in the U.S.
The decision about taking Hinduism back is up to them.
The Minnesota resident is hoping to reverse some of the distrust by building understanding through education and personal connections. A group of Minnesotans of Indian origin, including Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and unbelievers, meet for monthly potlucks thanks to the help of a Muslim named Siddique.
When people sit down and have a direct dialogue, instead of listening to all these leaders, it changes a lot of things.
Some people argued over a draft proposal to seek dialogue with people who are different from them. They didn't support reaching out to Hindu nationalists because of their fear of being harassed.
Future plans include focusing on education and interfaith events in India.
It's not an option to just keep silent. We needed a platform to bring people together who share the same beliefs.
That's right.
A person in Minneapolis contributed to the report.
That's right.
Lilly Endowment Inc. gives funding to the AP for religion coverage.
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