World Hindu Economic Forum Dismisses ‘Divisive’ Label and Bias Allegations

GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 12th Dec. The World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF) has refuted allegations of bias regarding its upcoming WHEF 2024 conference and the controversy surrounding Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s invitation as a keynote speaker. The forum emphasized its commitment to inclusivity and its outreach to leaders across the political spectrum.

Extensive Invitations Extended to CMs
Swami Vigyananand, the founder of WHEF, clarified that invitations were sent to 24 Chief Ministers across India on June 28, excluding Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren due to corruption allegations, and Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin, whose party’s stance on Hindu Dharma was deemed controversial. Invitations were extended to CMs of non-BJP-ruled states, including Siddaramaiah (Karnataka), Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (Himachal Pradesh), Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal), Bhagwant Mann (Punjab), and Pinarayi Vijayan (Kerala), but no responses were received.

Countering Allegations of Divisiveness
Addressing criticisms from opposition parties, WHEF Secretary Ravikant Mishra questioned why the existence of a Hindu economic forum was being labeled divisive when similar forums for other faiths operate globally. He cited organizations like the World Islamic Economic Forum and Christian Business Mentors Council as examples, asserting that WHEF’s focus is to foster economic collaboration based on the inclusive principles of Dharma.

Promoting Global Hindu Economic Collaboration
The WHEF, which connects Hindus across 60 countries, aims to revitalize the Hindu community’s economic legacy. Organizers highlighted that past events have welcomed non-Hindu collaborators, including Israeli and indigenous Maori representatives, emphasizing the forum’s openness to global partnerships.

Focus on Economic Upliftment and Innovation
Shailesh Trivedi, Joint Secretary of WHEF 2024, outlined the forum’s focus on fostering entrepreneurship and innovation through initiatives like the WHEF Launchpad for startups. He emphasized that the forum’s aim is not limited to regional politics but rather to create global opportunities for Hindu businesses to prosper and share wealth, embodying the Vedic ideal of collective prosperity.

WHEF 2024 in Context
The WHEF organizers reiterated their objective to create a platform for knowledge sharing and mentorship among financially successful Hindus, while also addressing the economic challenges faced by the community. The event aligns with WHEF’s vision of uniting the global Hindu diaspora to revive economic excellence and social harmony.

The conference, set to host speakers from various nations and industries, underscores WHEF’s belief in the potential of Hindu society to drive global prosperity through collaboration and innovation.