In a time of growing censorship, surveillance, and polarisation, artists and civil society leaders will gather in Washington, DC, for an evening exploring the power of culture and free expression in defending democracy.
On Thursday, June 26, the Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital will host “SANGAT: A Musical Gathering of Spirit, Unity, and Resistance”, featuring music and dialogue that speak to the urgent need for solidarity in the face of exclusionary politics.
The evening will begin with a conversation titled “Free Speech Under Siege: Lessons from India and America,” led by Nida Hasan, Executive Director of the India House Foundation , and Arjun Sethi, a human rights lawyer and academic. During their conversation, they will address current threats to free speech, the challenges faced by marginalised voices, and the critical role of free expression in sustaining democratic institutions.
“The U.S. government is punishing and seeking to criminalise free speech in support of immigration rights, climate justice, and Palestine. Non-U.S. citizens who speak out on these issues are particularly at risk. It is critical that our universities, institutions, and courts safeguard speech for all”, notes Sethi.
“The very first Amendment to the Bill of Rights protects free speech. That’s by design. The right to speak freely is a bedrock civil and human right and a prerequisite to a healthy democracy”, he adds.
Sethi also draws attention to the dangers of polarisation in both India and the US, and how it is used to limit dissent:
“Polarisation is rising in both India and the U.S., and leaders and authoritarian forces in both countries are weaponising it to target dissent. Free speech and association changes minds and reduces polarisation, which is exactly what authoritarians wish to prevent.”
Following the discussion, the evening will feature a live performance by Afghan American rabab virtuoso Qais Essar and Sikh American musician Sonny Singh, joined by cellist Roziht Eve and tabla player Jujhar Singh. Their project, Sangat, draws on centuries-old South Asian musical traditions and spiritual poetry from Sikh, Sufi, and Bhakti heritage to send a powerful message of solidarity across religious and cultural lines.
“A country cannot in good faith call itself a democracy without having communities from diverse backgrounds and identities participating in equitable ways in civic life. Authoritarians and supremacists rely on those at the margins, be it religious minorities, caste-oppressed people, or queer and transgender people, to feel despair and hopelessness and to disengage from civic participation. So it’s our responsibility to organize our communities and make sure we stay engaged and build power for real democracy.” says Sonny Singh.
He also speaks to the challenges facing India’s secular and multicultural vision today:
“The idea of a multicultural, secular India is most definitely under threat right now. Those in power have a vision of India as a Hindu country which excludes and marginalizes religious communities like Muslims, Sikhs, Christians as well as Dalits, Bahaujans, and Adivasis.”
For additional information, please contact: georgia.morton@apollostrategiccomms.com or gajal.gupta@apollostrategiccomms.com.
Event Details:
Global Sounds on the Hill featuring Qais Essar & Sonny Singh: Sangat
Location: Hill Center DC, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20003 United States
Date:Thursday,26 June 2025
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Registration: here
About the Organisers
India House Foundation is a diaspora-led initiative committed to engaging the global Indian community with accurate, unbiased, and comprehensive information about India’s socioeconomic and political realities. Its mission is to foster deeper understanding among the diaspora, support informed decision-making, and encourage dialogue and action for positive change.
****This Press Release and related content was provided to Diaspora Digital News for informational purposes by the India House Foundation.