That's So Hindu

In this episode of That’s So Hindu, Mat McDermott interviews Ravi Rajan, producer of the documentary “Castegate” and Sundar Iyer, one of the engineers at the center of Cisco caste discrimination case. The conversation delves into the allegations of caste discrimination, the subsequent documentary that was produced to document the events, and the broader implications of caste discrimination in the US. The speakers discuss the egregious claims made by the California Civil Rights Department, the political mobilization against Hindu Americans, and the legislative context surrounding SB 403. They emphasize the need for community awareness and action against discrimination, while also highlighting the importance of ethical leadership in politics.Watch: https://castegatethefilm.org/ TakeawaysThe Cisco case involves allegations of caste discrimination and harassment.The documentary aims to document the truth behind the Cisco case.There are significant misrepresentations in the claims made by the California Civil Rights Department.Political mobilization against Hindu Americans is a growing concern.Caste discrimination is being used as a tool to target Hindu Americans.The Civil Rights Department's actions raise ethical questions about government agencies.SB 403 was introduced to address caste discrimination but has controversial implications.Community reception of the documentary has been positive, with awards received.Calls for donations are crucial to support the ongoing efforts related to the film.The fight against discrimination is a collective responsibility for all Americans.Chapters00:00Overview of the Cisco Case02:56The Film's Development and Purpose05:57Behind the Scenes: Documenting the Truth08:39Egregious Claims and Misrepresentation11:42Speculation on Broader Agendas14:45Caste and Identity: A Complex Discussion17:31Statistical Misuse and Its Implications20:52Community Reception and Future Plans23:34Reflections on Pushback and Advocacy28:31Ethical Responsibilities of Leaders31:25Legal Challenges and Civil Rights34:44Caste Discrimination and Legal Implications37:47Racial Dynamics and Social Commentary39:57Cultural Shifts and Societal Reactions43:53Examining Harassment Claims46:31The Allegations of Isolation47:34The Possibility of a Setup49:30Coincidences and Causation50:56Understanding SB 40353:45The Implications of Caste Legislation56:35Political Ethics and Accountability58:40The Broader Campaign Against Hindu Americans01:03:54Calls to Action and Community SupportKeywordsCisco case, caste discrimination, documentary, civil rights, SB 403, Hindu American community, political mobilization, legal implications, anti-Hindu sentiment

In this episode of That’s So Hindu, Mat McDermott, Pawan Deshpande, and Devala Rees discuss the intersection of AI and Hinduism, exploring how AI can be integrated into devotional practices, the biases present in AI systems, and the implications of misinformation in educational contexts. They delve into the philosophical questions surrounding consciousness and AI, and the potential future of AI in relation to Hindu traditions. The discussion emphasizes the importance of accurate representation and the opportunities AI presents for spreading knowledge about Hinduism.TakeawaysAI images can be used in Hindu practices but with caution.Hinduism encompasses over 300 distinct traditions.Misinformation in educational materials about Hinduism is prevalent.Caste is often misrepresented in AI outputs.AI can mimic human-like features but lacks true consciousness.The optimization function in AI influences its responses.AI performs better when users interact positively with it.Hindus are significant users of AI technologies like ChatGPT.AI presents opportunities for accurate representation of Hinduism.The future of AI in Hinduism raises important philosophical questions.Chapters00:00Introduction to the Guests and Their Backgrounds02:54AI in Hindu Devotional Practices05:49Understanding AI: Definitions and Implications11:59Bias and Misinformation in AI17:52Educational Challenges and Misrepresentation of Hinduism23:44The Role of AI in Cultural Representation29:45Consciousness and AI: A Philosophical Exploration35:57The Future of AI and Hinduism41:45Conclusion and Final ThoughtsKeywordsAI, Hinduism, Devotional Practices, Misinformation, Bias, Education, Cultural Representation, Consciousness, Philosophy, Technology

In this episode, Mat McDermott interviews Richa Karmarkar, a Hinduism reporter at Religion News Service, discussing the complexities of reporting on Hinduism in America. They explore the perceptions of Hinduism in media, political biases, and the challenges faced by journalists in accurately representing the Hindu community. Richa shares her background, the importance of nuanced reporting, and the need for greater understanding of Hindu identity and immigration issues. The conversation also touches on key stories from the past year and looks ahead to future topics in Hinduism.Follow: Religion News Service | Richa KarmarkarTakeawaysRicha Karmarkar's journey from a Midwestern upbringing to becoming a Hinduism reporter.The complexity of Hinduism makes it challenging to report accurately.Political bias in media often affects the portrayal of Hinduism.Hindu identity is often linked to Indian politics in media narratives.There is a perception of left-wing bias in journalism.Many journalists lack a deep understanding of Hinduism.Community engagement is crucial for accurate representation.Immigration issues are a significant concern for the Hindu community.Support for political figures can vary widely within the Hindu community.The future of Hinduism in America will involve addressing spirituality and community needs.KeywordsHinduism, media representation, political bias, immigration, Hindu identity, journalism, Richa Karmarkar, Religion News Service, community engagement, cultural understandingChapters00:00 Introduction and Context of Current Events02:39 Richa's Background and Journey in Journalism04:35 Perceptions of Hinduism in Media Reporting07:55 Political Bias and Representation of Hindus10:30 Navigating Hindu Identity and Media Criticism12:31 Left-Wing Bias in Journalism17:32 Understanding Hinduism in Religion Reporting20:23 Balancing Nuance and Reader Understanding23:05 Key Stories in Hindu Community Reporting24:38 The Evolving Narrative of Immigration and Identity29:53 Community Perspectives on Immigration and Solidarity33:53 The Future of Hinduism in America38:51 Engaging with Hinduism Beyond the Mainstream

In this episode Mat McDermott speaks with Professor Pankaj Jain. Pankaj has been on the show before speaking about his area of professional expertise, Hinduism, Jainism and ecology. But today we’re speaking about something he’s become particularly passionate about: parenting. Specifically how Hindu parents can help their children develop a love of Hindu and Indian culture.

In this episode HAF Board Member psychologist Dr Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria and HAF Executive Director Suhag Shukla have a wide ranging discussion about parenting as Hindus, the book Bad Therapy, how we can raise resilient children, the differences in parenting across the generations, and more.This show was originally published on September 5, 2024

In this episode Suhag Shukla speaks with historian Vikram Sampath (author of the two volume definitive biography of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar) about the origins of Hindutva and misunderstandings about, its relevance for Hindus living outside of India, and more.This show originally was published on September 26, 2024.

In this episode Mat McDermott and Devala Rees discuss many frequently asked questions about sadhus. What are sadhus? How many female sadhus are there and what are they called? Why do many sadhus smoke marijuana as a spiritual practice? Why do some sadhus carry weapons? How do you become a sadhu? And more.

In this episode Devala Rees lays out the similarities and differences between the ancient religion of Persia, Zoroastrianism — which is still practiced by a couple hundred thousand people today — and the Hindu Dharma Traditions. Their basic beliefs and practices, as well as when the traditions split off from one another.Learn more: Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America