We hope you are doing well during these precarious times.

We are students, alumni, faculty, and staff of the University of Toronto and members of the community, bringing to your attention an issue that is of utmost importance to our student community on campus. As you may be aware, the student club, presently called - Hindu Student Council at University of Toronto Mississauga, is undertaking a proposal to change the name of the club through its newly elected executive committee. We, as the students, alumni, faculty, and staff of UofT and general members of the community oppose such a change, as it would lead to erosion of the diversity and the cultural spirit of our campus.

The Hindu Student Council at the University of Toronto, Mississauga, was established in 2005 and represents the ethos and feelings of a large cultural and religious community inside University of Toronto. Students, Alumni, Staff and Faculty of all backgrounds, nationalities, race, religions etc. have become a member of this club, and the inclusivity of the club speaks for itself, given that HSC has had executive committee members from across different identities. Members who join the club, see it as an opportunity to find common cause and purpose in celebrating a common Hindu culture and heritage. Further, international students coming into the campus of Hindu faith, see the club as more than a simple student run organization, but a family, a community that makes them feel that they have a support system away from their homes. By proposing to change the name of the club, the incoming executive committee is violating the fundamental tenets and principles upon which this club was established.

Additionally, it should be noted that we as an alumni / staff / member of the community of this campus and prestigious academic institution recommend the campus to prospective students, both in our Mississauga community and abroad, based on the vibrant student life UTM has to offer.

In our humble opinion, renaming the club could possibly lead to erosion of the values ​​upon which this club has smoothly functioned until now. It should be noted that we as an alumni / staff / member of the community of this campus and prestigious academic institution recommend the campus to prospective students, both in our Mississauga community and abroad, based on the vibrant student life UTM has to offer.

This present proposal to change the club name by an exclusive decision of the executive committee violates the inclusive approach of club culture on the UTM campus. We are of the belief that if such a decision/proposal is to be reached at, it needs to be inclusive and should encapsulate the wider debate, concerns, and thoughts of the community. In so far, the situation surrounding COVID-19, makes it increasingly difficult for current students and community members to remain engaged with on-campus activities, changing the name of one of the biggest clubs on campus, would be a disservice to them. As required, every incoming club executive committee has the complete right to make amendments and changes to its previous by-laws and bring their own character and thought into the club organizations of University of Toronto, Mississauga. However, such changes should be allowed within reasonable restrictions, such that the fundamental principles of the original club/organization should not be altered. 

If there is a need for a club that espouses different values ​​and identities that the current Hindu Student Council fails to meet, then there can be a club newly created to suit that purpose. But to change Hindu Student Council, which represents ethics, and beliefs, that transcends boundaries, nationalities, and social identities, is one that is erroneous. Change is welcome and new students should have the opportunity to influence their own version of how this club should be run or function but changing a name of the organization reflects a more fundamental realignment that needs due consideration by a larger body of students and community representatives.

We the undersigned,

1. Current Students of University of Toronto

2. Alumni of University of Toronto

3. Executive Alumni of Hindu Student Council

4. Past Members of Hindu Student Council

5. Members of the Peel Region Community

6. Parents / Guardians of Students at University of Toronto

7. Community and Faith organizations

Draw the attention of University of Toronto, University of Toronto Mississauga, UTSU, UTMSU and HSC to the proposed name change of Hindu Student Council (as explained above).

Therefore, your petitioners request that any name change for the Hindu Student Council should be stopped with immediate effect, any such change should only be done with the wider consensus of the students, founders, past executives, community members and university authorities.