Dr. Mahesh Mehta was not just a leader; he was a movement in himself. Born with an unwavering spirit of service, he became one of the most influential Hindu leaders of modern times. On December 14, 2021, at the age of eighty-six, Dr. Mehta left his mortal body in Karnavati (Amdavad), India, leaving behind an unmatched legacy of organizational leadership, patriotism, and dedication to the Hindu cause.
As the founder of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), the Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party (OFBJP), and a driving force behind the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), Hindu University of America, Hindu Students Council (HSC), Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation, and Hindu Mandir Executives’ Conference (HMEC), his contributions stretched across continents and touched the lives of millions. He also played a pivotal role in creating organizations such as the India Quality Group and Global Indians for Bharat Vikas (GIBV).
Dr. Mehta’s vision was crystal clear: to unite Hindus globally, protect Hindu values in the face of hostility, and ensure Hinduism flourishes as a respected tradition across the world.
Mahesh Mehta: A Pracharak, Mentor, and Patriot
Dr. Mahesh Mehta began his journey as an RSS Pracharak, embodying discipline, humility, and commitment to Dharma. He was also a close mentor of the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, whom he guided and inspired during crucial stages of his early leadership journey.
He was a rare combination of scholar, strategist, and compassionate mentor. His ability to engage volunteers with respect and inspire them with confidence made him beloved among all who worked with him. His politeness, humility, and gentlemanly nature earned him respect from both supporters and critics.
I personally had the privilege of meeting him in Atlanta, GA, in 2008 at a VHPA Governing Council meeting. He listened intently to my thoughts on Hindu causes and later encouraged me to volunteer more actively. His mentorship led me to serve as Co-editor of Hindu Vishwa online magazine, found the VHPA North Houston chapter, and eventually serve on the National Governing Council. Like me, thousands of Hindu Americans were motivated by his leadership to dedicate themselves to Hindu empowerment.
Defender of Hinduism in America
During the 1980s and 1990s, Hinduism in America faced enormous challenges. Anti-Hindu forces, radical Islamists, far-right Christian missionaries, and Indo-American communists launched coordinated campaigns to malign Hinduism, defame Hindu leaders, and create a negative image of India. Books like Wendy Doniger’s misrepresentations of Hinduism and derogatory media such as Sita Sings the Blues were openly circulated. Hindu sacred symbols like the Swastika were falsely equated with hate.
Hindu students, priests, and business owners often faced racial hatred and even violent crimes due to this misinformation. Hindu temples were isolated, leaders were silenced, and the Hindu voice had little political presence in America.
It was under Dr. Mahesh Mehta’s leadership that this trend began to change. Through VHPA and affiliated organizations, he countered misinformation campaigns, united temples under the Hindu Mandir Executives’ Conference (HMEC), and mobilized Hindu volunteers to advocate for their rights. He created platforms for Hindu students, academics, and leaders to stand together against injustice.
He successfully neutralized Indo-American communists, pseudo-secularists, and radical Islamist organizations who wanted to stop the rise of Hinduism in the US. His sharp acumen and strategic interventions ensured that many second-generation Hindu Americans were protected from falling prey to anti-Hindu propaganda.
Mahesh Mehta: Training a Generation of Hindu Leaders
Dr. Mahesh Mehta was not just building organizations; he was building people. He developed and trained first and second-generation Hindu Americans as leaders, activists, and socio-political influencers. These individuals are now the backbone of Hindu advocacy in the US and beyond.
While Hinduism had strong spiritual and religious institutions, Dr. Mehta recognized the vacuum in social and political Hindu organizations. He filled this gap by creating networks that could protect temples, advocate for Hindu human rights, and give Hindus a voice in American polity.
His efforts ensured that Hindu advocacy groups, university Hindu student bodies, and Hindu service organizations now flourish in America. Temples are united, Hindu curricula are being taught in universities, and Hindu festivals are recognized in many states.
Global Indians for Bharat Vikas – A Landmark Initiative
One of Dr. Mahesh Mehta’s final and most impactful initiatives was Global Indians for Bharat Vikas (GIBV), established in 2014. Under the leadership of Gaurang Vaishnav and inspired by Dr. Mehta’s vision, GIBV mobilized Hindus across the world to ensure Narendra Modi’s victory in the 2014 Indian General Elections.
Through editorial campaigns, phone drives, “Chai Pe Charcha” sessions, and community mobilization, GIBV created a worldwide Hindu solidarity movement. As Southeast US Convenor of GIBV, I witnessed how his leadership turned a dream into reality. Today, Hindu human rights have far greater recognition in US governance, and Hindu voices are taken seriously by senators and congressmen.
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