The Hindu American Foundation slammed reviews of a plea for an investigation into its reference to the Indian authorities and stated it has been singled out by a ‘pro-Khalistan’ gurdwara, whereas HAF receives no money, directions or authorized course from the Indian authorities. The assertion got here in response to the Fremont Gurdwara Sahib approaching the Department of Justice to launch a nationwide safety investigation to find out whether or not the non-profit must be required to file as an Indian overseas agent. “The HAF has facilitated meetings between foreign principals and US lawmakers, platformed foreign principals at their own events, and consistently and unequivocally advocated for the interests of the BJP on both domestic and foreign policy matters,” a consultant for the Gurdwara wrote in a letter to Pam Bondi, the US legal professional basic — as repoprted by the Guardian. “If DOJ applied the same logic used in the complaint, many respected diaspora orgs would be forced to register as foreign agents just for hosting cultural events. That’s not law enforcement—it’s selective enforcement,” HAF stated. “HAF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Washington, DC, run by US citizens, funded by US donors, and accountable to US law. We have platinum transparency rating as a nonprofit,” it stated, including that collaborating in diaspora occasions together with these involving overseas chief,s is authorized and customary; a number of different organizations additionally did that. “HAF advocates for civil rights, accurate education, and religious freedom for Hindu Americans. We have stood against violence—whether by Khalistan separatists, Islamists, or Hindu extremists. Our policy positions are public, legal, and rooted in our mission—not directed by any foreign state. We support FARA enforcement when warranted. But smearing US nonprofits based on diaspora engagement is a misuse of the law.“HAF stated that the allegations towards it that it acts as an unregistered overseas agent is legally unfounded, factually incorrect and harmful for civil society. “The allegation against HAF was filed by Lex Politica, a right-wing law firm retained by a pro-Khalistan gurudwara in California. Khalistan is a secessionist movement calling for a theocratic Sikh state carved out of India, linked to the worst Canadian terrorist attack in history. Khalistan is opposed by the vast majority of Sikhs globally,” it stated.