During the Second National Hindu Advocacy Day event held at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, a prominent group of Indian Americans appealed to lawmakers to address the increasing instances of Hinduphobia in the United States and safeguard the rights of the Hindu community.
Approximately 21 members of Congress attended the event, where they emphasized the need to address discrimination against Hindus in the US. Congressman Rich McCormick, speaking at the day-long conference organized by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), highlighted the issue of discrimination based on race and religion, stating that the intimidation and Hinduphobia faced by the Hindu community are long-standing problems.
McCormick criticized bills such as California’s SB403, describing them as racist, discriminatory, and divisive, as they attempt to categorize individuals in ways that are rejected by the people themselves. The Republican Congressman from Georgia stressed that such measures are contrary to American values and should be opposed.
Congressman Sri Thanedar expressed his strong belief in religious freedom for all individuals and voiced his opposition to any form of attacks or phobia. He emphasized the importance of representation for diverse groups and the protection of freedom of religion. Thanedar stated that Hinduism is a peaceful religion that has been subjected to attacks and should be safeguarded. He advocated for Hindus, like any other religious group, to be able to practice their faith without encountering hate, prejudice, or phobia. Thanedar also mentioned his role in creating a Hindu caucus in Congress, addressing the lack of representation for Hindus.
The Hindu American attendees at the day-long conference included Hank Johnson, Tom Keane, Rich McCormick, Thanedar, Buddy Carter, Sanford Bishop, and Ohio State Senator Niraj Antani. Senator Antani asserted that Hindus are currently facing attacks in the US.
Nikunj Trivedi, President of CoHNA, noted that awareness about Hindus in the US has been increasing. Trivedi mentioned productive advocacy efforts for the Hindu community, citing examples such as Georgia and cities like Fremont, California, and Memphis, Tennessee, which have taken steps to raise awareness about Hinduphobia through resolutions and proclamations. Trivedi also highlighted the successful recognition of Hindu festivals like Diwali as holidays in New York City public schools, signifying their growing popularity.
Professor Babones, Executive Director of the Indian Century Roundtable, commented on the concept of caste discrimination in America, pointing out the lack of sufficient data to support claims of actual discrimination. He questioned how California lawmakers could determine someone’s caste in the US, considering the vast number of scheduled castes, tribes, and castes in the OBC category in India alone. Babones added that Dalit is not a caste, highlighting the complexity of caste dynamics.
