Washington, D.C. —Advocacy group HinduACTion is hosting a significant congressional briefing on Capitol Hill on January 16 to raise awareness about the persecution, forced conversions, and human trafficking of Hindu, Christian, and other religious minorities in Pakistan.
The briefing, titled "Our Lost Daughters of Sindh," aims to inform U.S. lawmakers, State Department officials, and human rights advocates about what organizers describe as an underreported human rights crisis affecting South Asian communities.
- The congressional briefing titled "Our Lost Daughters of Sindh" will take place on January 16, 2026, on Capitol Hill, bringing together lawmakers, State Department officials, and human rights organizations to address religious persecution in Pakistan.
- The event will feature a visual presentation on the millennia-long history of Hindus in Pakistan, an immersive art exhibit by artist Kiran Chukkapalli, documentary evidence from Indus Valley Minorities, and testimonials from civil rights defenders.
- A nationwide peaceful rally will be held across U.S. cities on January 31, 2026, to raise awareness about violence against Hindu and other minority communities in Bangladesh, described as a non-political humanitarian human rights initiative.
The briefing represents a coordinated effort by HinduACTion to move beyond statistics and headlines by centering lived experiences and documented evidence of religious persecution. Organizers are urging participants to invite local elected officials to attend and speak at the event, amplifying the reach of this advocacy initiative.
The program combines historical material, contemporary art, and compelling testimony to present a comprehensive picture of the challenges facing religious minorities in the region. According to Utsav Chakrabarti, executive director of HinduACTion, the briefing is designed to inform and mobilize U.S. leadership on this critical issue.
The art installation by Kiran Chukkapalli will depict the experiences of Hindu refugees who have fled persecution, providing an emotional and visual dimension to the policy discussion. This immersive component aims to help policymakers connect the data with human reality.
A documentary produced by Indus Valley Minorities will focus specifically on cases of forced conversions and trafficking involving Hindu, Christian, and other minority communities, providing documented evidence of the allegations presented. Testimonials from civil rights defenders working in Pakistan will add direct witness accounts to the briefing.
Beyond the January 16 briefing, HinduACTion is organizing a broader advocacy push, including a nationwide peaceful rally scheduled for January 31 across multiple U.S. cities. This rally aims to shine a light on violence against Hindu and other minority communities in Bangladesh, expanding the scope of this South Asian advocacy movement.
“This briefing is designed to move policymakers beyond statistics and headlines,”
said Utsav Chakrabarti, executive director of HinduACTion. "By centering lived experience, historical truth, and documented evidence, we aim to inform and galvanize U.S. leadership to confront ongoing religious persecution."
The briefing addresses an important gap in awareness about religious persecution in South Asia within U.S. policy circles. By presenting comprehensive documentation and personal narratives, HinduACTion seeks to influence policy discussions and advocacy efforts related to religious freedom and human trafficking.
Congressional briefings of this nature provide opportunities for advocacy groups to inform lawmakers and government officials about issues that may not receive extensive mainstream media coverage. The January 16 event could shape how U.S. policymakers approach religious persecution and human trafficking in Pakistan going forward.
Forced religious conversions in Pakistan have been documented by multiple international human rights organizations as a significant issue affecting vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls from minority communities. The issue involves both coercive legal mechanisms and extrajudicial practices, making it a complex human rights concern that requires sustained international attention and policy intervention.
- Forced Conversions: The practice of coercing individuals to change their religious faith through threats, abduction, coercion, or other pressures, often targeting vulnerable populations.
- Human Trafficking: The exploitation of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for labor, sexual services, or other purposes; in this context, often linked to forced conversions of religious minorities.
- Religious Persecution: Systematic discrimination, violence, or legal restrictions targeting individuals or groups based on their religious beliefs or practices.
- Congressional Briefing: An informational session held for members of Congress and their staff to educate them on specific policy issues or advocacy concerns from experts and stakeholders.