Nonviolence Pledge

SACRED Acts’ Nonviolence Pledge

[Endorsed by Tushar A. Gandhi, Gandhi's great grandson]

Over 75 years after the assassination of Gandhi, the ideological movement that motivated his murderer is more powerful than ever, and is shockingly funding political candidates in Illinois.

When Nathuram Godse killed Gandhi, Godse was considered an extremist. The Indian government banned Godse’s antisemitic, Islamophobic, Hindu supremacist organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). But today, the RSS is in power in India, and extremists are idolizing Gandhi’s killer, building more than a dozen statues and attempting to rename a city in his honor.

Now, allies of these same extremists are pumping campaign cash into Illinois.

Offering campaign cash, South Asian supremacist groups are infiltrating American politics. Political groups are accepting these contributions, often without realizing their donors’ ties to the extremist ideology of Gandhi’s murderer and their embrace of the discriminatory caste system. South Asian supremacist donors have funneled at least $2.5 million to political candidates of both parties in Illinois over the last ten years.

When an Illinois-based, pro-Trump organization, the Republican Hindu Coalition (RHC), named American white supremacist leader Steve Bannon a co-chair, it became clear that Illinois was becoming home to an anti-democratic, ultra-right wing, white supremacist and South Asian supremacist alliance.

Though these anti-democratic sentiments seem far away, Illinois has one of the largest South Asian populations in the country, and intolerance has been creeping into our government through campaign contributions. In light of rising anti-democratic sentiments worldwide and in our local politics, we urge you to sign our pledge to declare that as a current or aspiring Illinois elected official, you will not accept money tied to anti-democratic agendas.

The rise of religious extremism directly opposes democratic values, and the fight to end intolerance starts with you.

Our national coalition is working to stop the rise of South Asian supremacy by winning pledges from candidates to reject campaign contributions from South Asian supremacist leaders and groups. We must ensure our politics are not influenced by far-right groups who promote violence and seek to undermine democracy at home or abroad.

Please sign the following pledge:

“As a candidate for public office, I pledge not to accept any donations from people or organizations who are linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and its affiliates. Relevant donations will be returned or donated to local organizations focused on inclusive civic engagement and pro-democracy values.”

[Please note that by completing this form you agree that we can add your name to a public list of signatories.]

SACRED Acts (South Asian American Coalition to Renew Democracy Acts) is a 501(c)(4) nonpartisan, nonprofit that organizes multifaith, multiracial, multigenerational power to build a just and inclusive democracy.