The CA vs. Hate program’s inaugural report, released on May 22, highlighted that in California, anti-Hindu incidents ranked as the second most common religion-related hate crime reported to a state-sponsored hotline over the past year. Administered by the California Civil Rights Department, the hotline, with support from organizations advocating for minority groups, received 1,020 hate crime reports. Of these, 36.9% targeted Jews, 14.6% Muslims, and 23.3% Hindus. The data, while shedding light on concerning trends, is limited in its representation of all hate acts in the state, caution officials.
Despite being a new initiative, CA vs. Hate has offered Hindu advocates validation regarding the rise of anti-Hindu sentiment across various sectors. Over a three-month period in 2023, six Hindu temples in the Bay Area were reportedly vandalized, further underscoring the need for attention and action. Organizations like Hindus for Human Rights acknowledge the report’s significance but emphasize the necessity of deeper analysis and community involvement to combat religious hatred effectively.
The CA vs. Hate initiative marks a significant step in hate crime reporting, complementing the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics report. Criticism has been directed at the inconsistency and incompleteness of local law enforcement agencies’ data reporting to the FBI. The bipartisan Improving Reporting to Prevent Hate Act aims to address this by mandating credible hate crime data reporting by law enforcement agencies in cities with over 100,000 residents. Advocates stress that accurate data is crucial for understanding and tackling hate-motivated violence effectively.
Congressman Shri Thanedar, among others, has been vocal about the rise in attacks on Hinduism, urging the Department of Justice to investigate instances of vandalism in California. He introduced House Resolution 1131, aiming to acknowledge the contributions of Hindu Americans and address the troubling increase in Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry. Thanedar’s efforts reflect a commitment to standing against ignorance and violence, offering a message of solidarity to Hindu and South Asian Americans.
