Navya Shastra on "Love Guru", the Movie
Hindu reform group opposes Love Guru protests
from Hindustan Times, May 20, 2008
- ...Navya Shastra, the organisation based in Troy, Michigan, which earlier spoke out against astrology, female foeticide and Dalit discrimination, has argued that hyper-sensitivity over inaccurate or distorted religious depictions in mass media erodes the tradition of tolerance of criticism in the Hindu faith....
Navya Shastra on Female Feticide
Navya Shastra concern over India's foeticide epidemic
from The Indian Star, May 07, 2008
- ...Navya Shastra also called on the Hindu community and its organizations to allow daughters to impart final rites at the funerals of their parents. "One religious reason why boys are favored among Hindus is because of the anachronistic belief that only a son can formally conduct this ceremony, so a girl is totally worthless in this regard," said Dr. Jaishree Gopal, Navya Shastra Chairman....
Other news coverage
Pro-Life Blog, May 07, 2008
Also appeared in Print Edition of India West
- Navya Shastra on Malaysia
Navya Shastra condemns the Government of Malaysia for anti-Hindu discrimination
from Asian Tribune, November 27, 2007
- ...One Navya Shastra member who participated in the rally reported anonymously: "We have changed the political equations at home and inspired minorities everywhere. We walked the talk. We smelled the tear gas and it swelled our chests. Like Rosa Parks we said, 'No!'"
It further added that Navya Shastra stands in complete solidarity with the Hindu community and all other minorities in Malaysia who are the victims of government persecution....
....
- Navya Shastra Award of Recognition
Navya Shastra Award to two students from Karnataka
from Manglorean.com, August 15, 2007
- ...These two young women have demonstrated that by challenging outmoded institutions and customs in a personal way, one can have an impact on society at large. To paraphrase Mahatma Gandhi, it is important for our youth to 'be the change' they want to see," said Dr. Jaishree Gopal, Navya Shastra Chairman....
....
- Navya Shastra confers the title of Acharya Vidyasagar on Professor V.V. Raman
Professor V.V. Raman
receives title "Acharya Vidyasagar"
from Rochester Community Newsletter, May 28, 2007
- ...Navya Shastra of Troy, Michigan,
the international Hindu reform organization, honored
Professor V.V. Raman by conferring on him the title
"Acharya Vidyasagar" in recognition of his many
contributions to Hinduism. Dr. Jaishree Gopal,
Chairman of Navya
Shastra, said “In ancient
India, an acharya was a
teacher of profound
truths, a guide on the
spiritual path, and
someone an entire
community looked up to....
- Navya Shastra on Temple Entry
Hindu reform organisation slams Jagannath temple priests
from Hindustan Times, March 5, 2007
- ..."We are appalled to know about the mindless throwing away of large amounts of food by the Puri temple administration at the instigation of pujaris (priests) with a medieval mindset at a time and place where there are thousands of poor and hungry people," said the organisation's chairman, Dr Jaishree Gopal.
....
- Report from a Dalit village
Ghosts of the Past
from India Abroad, Feb 18, 2007
- ...It left me with the thought that true
prosperity was impossible until social advancement and a
sense of equality became firmly entrenched in our
communities.
...
Navya Shastra on Manglik-related rituals of Aishwarya Rai
US Hindu reform group condemns rituals by Bachchan
from Daily News and Analysis, February 12, 2007
- ..."What concerns us is that millions of people may rationalise their mistreatment of women based upon the Abhishek-Aishwarya example," said Jaishree Gopal, Navya Shastra Chairman, in a press statement.
....
Other news coverage
Zee News, February 12, 2007
Malaysia Sun, February 12, 2007
Daily India, Fl, February 12, 2007
Philippine Times, February 13, 2007
Japan Herald, February 13, 2007
Yahoo India, Movies, February 12, 2007
The Telegraph, February 12, 2007
New Kerala, February 12, 2007
Navya Shastra Apology to Dalits
Navya Shastra Organization Apologizes for Untouchability
from Hinduism Today, hpi, December 20, 2006
- We, at Navya Shastra, deeply regret and apologize for the atrocities committed on the sons and daughters of the depressed communities of India, including the tribals, the "untouchables" and all of the castes deemed as low....
....
An Unqualified Apology to Every Untouchable by Dr Bhaskar Dasgupta
from desicritic, February 2, 2006
- ...So here it is, I fully endorse and join Navya Shastra, in apologising to the other castes, for what I and my forefathers may have done and promise that I will raise my voice against this disgusting practice, and hopefully help remove this by my words as well as my behaviour....
.
...
Navya Shastra in Books
Opening the Doors of Wonder: Reflections on Religious Rites of Passage by Arthur J. Magida
from Amazon, 2006
- ...thousand members of Navya Shastra and other reform groups are seeking to go one step beyond Gandhi
....
Mending A Torn World: Women in Interreligious Dialogue (Faith Meets Faith Series) by by Maura O'Neill (Paperback - Oct 31, 2007)
from Amazon, 2007
- ... Dr. Jaishree Gopal, a woman activist, commends the government of India for working to end discrimination ..."
....
Navya Shastra on TV in Chennai
Temple inauguration in Dalit village, Idamani
Temple Inauguration, July 2006
- ...This event was aired on Chennai TV station, Thamizhan
....
California Textbook Controversy
Indian Groups Contest California Textbook Content
from New American Media, February 17, 2006
- ...They also say that it would serve the dalits' cause better if the textbooks said that "untouchability is a living reality in India," instead of simply going by the Hindu groups' suggestion that the books say that it is illegal to treat someone as an untouchable, Vikram Masson, co-founder of Navya Shastra, a U.S.-based non-profit organization that speaks out against caste-related issues, told India-West.
....
Navya Shastra Organizations Calls for Fairer View in California Textbooks
from HPI, February 2, 2006
- ...Navya Shastra is also dismayed that the school board is considering redacting out any mention of Dalits. While the former untouchables of India have been called or call themselves many things, including Avarna and Harijan, the term Dalit is increasingly considered an empowering symbol of unity among a section of the former untouchables, including those who still retain their Hindu affiliation, and eliding their identity must be viewed as an act of upper-caste hegemony.
.
...
Hindu view on Papal Succession
Pope Vows to Pursue Outreach by Church
from Washington Post, Thursday, April 21, 2005; Page A18
- ..."A U.S.-based group of Hindu activists called Navya Shastra, meanwhile, called on the pope to learn more about Hinduism. "Clearly he is misinformed about the central practices and tenets which bind the world's 800 million Hindus," said co-chairman Vikram Masson.
....
Other Faiths Recall Pope's Zeal as Faith Defender
from Reuters, April 20, 2005
- ...A U.S.-based group of world Hindu activists, Navya Shastra, hoped the new Pope would learn more about its religion.
"Ratzinger has described Hindu meditative practices as 'auto-erotic' and has stated that the Hindu doctrine of karma is 'morally cruel'," its co-chairman Vikram Masson said.
"Clearly he is misinformed about the central practices and tenets which bind the world's 800 million Hindus....
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH'S VIEWS ON OTHER FAITH GROUPS, AND THEIR REACTIONS
from Religious Tolerance
- ..."Dr. Jaishree Gopal, is co-chairperson of Navya Shastra. She wrote: "What is needed now is ecumenism and mutual trust. We hope that the new Pope comes to understand this, because religious difference and competition is causing mounting global conflict."
....
US Hindu organisation accuses VHP of casteism
from Times of India, Mar 06, 2005
- ..."This is a bizarre act of conceptual dehumanisation," the statement quoted Navya Shastra co-chairperson Jaishree Gopal as saying.
The statement urged all Hindu organisations involved in proselytising activities to do away with attaching cast labels to new converts. "Surely all modern Hindu reformers agree that there is no spiritual merit attached to any caste affiliation," the statement added....
(This news item also appeared in various other publications: Hindustan Times, Pluralism.org, Kerala News, Kerala Next, Express Newsline, Yahoo India)
God's Wrath in India?
from Beliefnet, Jan 5, 2005
- ...Another Hindu group, the reformist Navya Shastra, issued a press release condemning Hindu organizations that have bought into the act-of-God view, comparing their remarks to those of Christian leaders like Jerry Falwell. While acknowledging, like Vaishnav, that karma could have played a role in the deaths, the group, made of Hindu scholars, practitioners and priests outside India, suggested that it was more important to focus on helping survivors than trying to explain why the disaster happened.
....
Tsunami News Coverage
from Times of India, Dec 28, 2004
- NEW YORK: With people relating tsunami to God's wrath, a Hindu group is out to re-educate masses.
from Hindustan Times, Dec 28, 2004
- A Michigan-based Hindu group has condemned labelling Sunday's tsunami tragedy a "vengeful act of God" and asked the global Hindu community to contribute generously to assist victims of the catastrophe....
from Express Newsline, Europe, Dec 28, 2004- Navya Shastra, a global organization of scholars, activists, priests
and lay people dedicated to fostering the spiritual equality of
all Hindus, has called upon the global Hindu community to
contribute generously to the victims of the December 26
earthquake-cum Tsunami wave attack in South East Asia.
...
from Guardian UK, Dec 28, 2004- As the world grapples with the scale of the disaster of Indian Ocean tidal wave, the Guardian's Martin Kettle poses a troubling question for those who believe in God. ...But a Michigan-based Hindu group, Navya Shastra, has condemned organisations in India for describing the disaster as a "vengeful act of God" for the arrest of a Hindu seer, on murder and other charges.
...
This news item also appeared in various other publications: Yahoo India, MSN news, Bangladesh Sun, WebIndia, NetIndia, Manorama Online, Kerala News, Kerala Next, ReligiousTolerance.org
Hindu American Foundation Files Amicus Brief with US Supreme Court in Ten Commandments Case
HPI
from hpi archives, Dec, 21, 2004
- ...The 34-page brief was signed by HAF, Arsha Vidya Pitham, Arya Samaj of Michigan, Hindu International Council Against Defamation, Hindu University of America, Navya Shastra, Saiva Siddhanta Church (publisher through its teaching wing, Himalayan Academy, of Hinduism Today and HPI), Federation of Jain Associations in North America, Interfaith Freedom Foundation and prominent Buddhist scholar and Director of Tibet House, Professor Robert Thurman....
Hindu group criticises Kanchi Shankaracharya
from Newindpress, Oct 15, 2004
- ...Navya Shastra research director Gautham Rao, said money for the crown had come through donations and it could have been put to better use. "Clearly at this time in Indian history, when the majority of Indian citizens continue to live at or near poverty levels, we felt the money should have been spent on social service," he said....
...Navya Shastra also questioned the participation of (Christian) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in the "opulent" (Hindu) ceremony.
(this news item also appeared in Yahoo India, MSN India, Indian angle, 123Bharat.com, New Kerala portals)
Hindu Temple Society of North America, et al. v. New York Supreme Court, et al.
from Becketfund
- ...On September 2, 2004, ten organizations--representing various religious denominations--submitted an amicus (friend of the court) letter (PDF format, 66K) in support of The Becket Fund's motion for a preliminary injunction against the defendants of the federal suit.
The Hindu American Foundation presented the letter on behalf of AGNI Corporation, the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights, the Hindu Human Rights Group, the Hindu International Council Against Defamation, Hindu University of America, Ile Obatala Oya, Kanchi Kamakoti Seva Foundation, Navya Shastra, and the Queens Federation of Churches....
NRI group battles Hinduism's "inequalities
from India Abroad, June 18, 2004
- ...While the Indian government has encouraged such reforms to an
extent, the organization insists that Hindus themselves should take
up the cause while avoiding factionalism. At the same time, the
group has been critical of Dalits for highlighting caste
discrimination without actively working with Hindu leaders to
resolve the problem....
....
US body condemns discrimination against Dalit student
from Newindpress, June 06, 2004
- A Hindu organisation in the US has condemned reported discrimination against a Dalit student who was allegedly victimised for offering prayers in a Hindu temple in India's Andhra Pradesh state....
(this news item also appeared in Yahoo India, NRI Worldwide, MSN India, Kerala News, Kerala Next)
Local priest supports movement to reform Hindu customs
from India Herald, May 24, 2004
- ...Navya Shastra is a large group of believers of the Hindu Dharma domicled in various countries. We believe that chariot of Hindu society cannot move forward if any of the five horses lag behind. We have therefore committed ourselves to the mission of facilitating optimal spiritual development of all Hindus regardless of caste or gender....
Bound by the same thread
from India Abroad, Teenspeak, Jan 23, 2004
- ...Let us start modifying our traditions as
seen fit without destroying the essence, beginning
with allowing women and all Hindus to take part in
Upanyanam and feel equal in this manner.
Hindu Group Criticizes Dalit Representatives at World Social Forum
from HPI Archives, Jan 23, 2004
- Navya Shastra, a US-based global Hindu organization of scholars, activists, priests and laypeople, has criticized the Dalit representatives and organizers of the World Social Forum for highlighting the Hindu dimensions of discrimination against the Dalit community while refusing to work with the Hindu leadership to bring about religious reforms...
Solar Flares by Harsh Kabra
from Outlook, Dec 15, 2003
- ..."The Vedas and its chanting tradition form the fountainhead, the very epicentre, of the religious beliefs of over 800 million people," Vikram Masson, co-chairman, NS, told Outlook from New Jersey. "Be it a farmer in Tamil Nadu or a fisherman in Bengal, some part of his spiritual worldview has been inspired by the utterances of the rishis. By closeting the Vedas with other cultural expressions, UNESCO has marginalised and diminished the most important scriptures in the Hindu tradition."....
End caste discrimination, Hindu leaders urged
from IANS, Nov 28, 2003
- ...Here we have a historic opportunity to declare to the world that Hinduism will reform itself for ever of caste discrimination," said Vikram Masson, Navya Shastra co-chairman. "Hinduism, which is thousands of years old, has never had a significant reformist movement,"...
Don’t place Vedas in a cabinet of curios
from Deccan Herald, Nov 26, 2003
- ...Several noteworthy Hindu reformers and thinkers, including Swami Dayanada Saraswati and Dr. Sarvapelli Radhakrishnan, have advocated that the Vedic tradition be open to all. We should not ignore their wisdom.
Hindu group protests clubbing Vedas with folk arts
from Hindustan Times, Nov 19 2003
- A US-based Hindu organisation has protested to Unesco against its decision to club Vedic chanting tradition as a folk art along with the Belgian carnival of Binche and Indonesia's Wayang puppet theatre....
(this news item also appeared in Newindpress, Hinduism Today, India-Tribune, India-West)