In a groundbreaking legislative move, Georgia has become the first U.S. state to formally address Hinduphobia by introducing a bill that seeks to define and outlaw anti-Hindu bias. Senate Bill 375, supported by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, proposes to incorporate Hinduphobia into Georgia’s penal code, allowing hate crimes against Hindus to be categorized under existing anti-discrimination frameworks.
Introduced with bipartisan cooperation, the bill is backed by Republican Senators Shawn Still and Clint Dixon, alongside Democratic Senators Jason Esteves and Emanuel D. Jones. The proposed legislation defines Hinduphobia as “a collection of antagonistic, demeaning, and harmful attitudes or actions directed towards Hinduism.” If passed, the law would instruct law enforcement agencies across the state to treat Hinduphobia on par with other recognized hate crimes.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) welcomed the move, describing it as a significant milestone in combating religious discrimination. “Georgia once again leads with this historic initiative,” said CoHNA, emphasizing their collaboration with Senator Still and appreciation for the unified support from state leaders. This bill follows a 2023 resolution where Georgia condemned Hinduphobia and honored Hinduism as one of the world’s oldest religions, followed by over 1.2 billion people globally.
That resolution, led by Representatives Lauren McDonald and Todd Jones, received acclaim from Hindu advocacy groups for acknowledging the contributions of the Hindu community and standing firmly against hate and violence. Forsyth County, which is home to one of the largest Indian-American populations in Georgia, played a key role in pushing for this recognition.
According to the Pew Research Center’s 2023–2024 Religious Landscape Study, Hindus make up roughly 0.9% of the U.S. population, totaling around 2.5 million people. Georgia is home to over 40,000 Hindus, primarily residing in the Atlanta metro area.
If Senate Bill 375 is enacted, it would mark a major leap toward safeguarding religious minorities and could pave the way for similar actions across other U.S. states. It highlights Georgia’s leadership in embracing diversity, recognizing the value of the Hindu community, and reinforcing American principles of equality and justice.
