The Indian American Muslim Council, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding India’s pluralist and tolerant ethos, today announced the winners of the annual Human Rights and Religious Freedom Journalism Awards at a ceremony in Chicago, Illinois. 

“Today, we honor the unwavering courage and integrity of the journalists who have stood on the frontlines of truth, amplifying the voices of the oppressed and defending the fundamental rights of all people. Their fearless commitment to justice and religious freedom, often in the face of tremendous adversity, is not only inspiring but essential in the fight to preserve India’s pluralistic values. These winners are not just reporters—they are the conscience of our society, and their work is a powerful force for change,” said the IAMC president Mohammed Jawad.

Suchitra Vijayan, author and founder of The Polis Project, delivered the keynote address for the evening. She is the author of the critically acclaimed books Midnight’s Borders: A People’s History of Modern India (Melville House, New York) and How Long Can the Moon Be Caged? Voices of Indian Political Prisoners (Pluto Press).