ATLANTA, GA -- Independent Journalist Pieter Friedrich is critical of Diwali and the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh.
Atlanta City Hall celebrated Diwali on Oct. 20, and Mayor Andre Dickens joined hands with the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) to celebrate a festival of lights and commemorate the event with photographs.
Diwali is a Hindu holiday celebrated in India, South Asia, and across the Hindu diaspora. About 3% of the Atlanta Metro area identifies as Hindu, according to the Pew Research Center's Religious Landscape Study.
While Friedrich is passionate about South Asia and its history, focusing on the Hindu nationalist movement in India and its impact on sociopolitical events in America, he is not thrilled with some local traditions and groups.
Pieter Friedrich at Oct. 20 regular city council meeting (Photo: YouTube)
Friederich presented a picture during the city council meeting, showing CoHNA’s logo displayed 23 times in circles.
“Twelve days before this photo, I stood in these chambers and warned you about CoHNA,” Friederich said during the Oct. 20 regular city council meeting. “I told you about their ties to Hindu nationalist networks, and I urged you not to partner with them.”
“I’m back to show you the consequences of your actions,” Friederich said.
The independent journalist is also critical of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), a voluntary, non-profit, social, educational, and cultural organization, claiming it is bad.
While the independent journalist has no problem sharing his feelings at the podium, Friederich did not respond to OpGov.ai's request for comment.
Initial email sent to Mayor Andre Dickens and his communication team after the regular city council meeting
OpGov.ai also reached out to Mayor Andre Dickens and his communication team via email on numerous occasions to no avail.
The lack of response is disappointing for a celebration of Hindu culture. But resident Esther Dhanraj, a member of the HSS community in Atlanta, makes up for officials lack of response. Dhanraj challenged Friederich’s claims and criticism.
Esther Dhranraj at a regular city council meeting (Photo: Youtube)
“The self-proclaimed activist named Mr. Peter Friedrich, who by the way is a resident of Sacramento, California, has been traveling to city councils around Georgia claiming that HSS is a terror outfit,” Esther Dhanraj said. “These accusations are unfounded, defamatory, and dangerous.”
Dhanraji, who holds a master’s degree in English Literature and a research-focused master's degree in Christian Studies, said, "In the four decades of public life, not a single case or conviction has ever linked HSSUSA to hate, violence, or illegality of any kind.”
If you have any thoughts on this article or the issues it raises, please email jorden.h@lead4earth.org.
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