A distinguished Indian-American lawmaker has put forth a measure in the House of Representatives that denounces Hinduphobia, anti-Hindu bigotry, and related acts of hate and bias. This proposition, put forward by Congressman Shri Thanedar on Wednesday, is now under review by the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
The proposition acknowledges that, in spite of Hindu Americans’ beneficial contributions to the United States, they continue to face misrepresentation regarding their heritage and symbolism and are targets of harassment in academic institutions, as well as discrimination, hate speech, and acts of violence.
According to the FBI’s Hate Crimes Statistics Report, there has been a yearly increase in anti-Hindu hate crimes directed at temples and individuals, paralleled by a rise in Hinduphobia within American society.
The United States has welcomed more than four million Hindus since the 1900s from a broad spectrum of backgrounds, as mentioned in the resolution. These individuals have enriched every segment of the nation’s economy and industry.
Just over two weeks ago, Indian-American representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, Thanedar, Ami Bera, and Pramila Jayapal penned a letter to the Department of Justice, seeking a briefing on the state of investigations related to the surge in vandalism at places of worship across the country, including Hindu temples, to understand better the cooperation between local authorities, the FBI, and the Civil Rights Division.
“Acts of aggression against temples from coast to coast have sparked growing communal anxiety among Hindu Americans. Leaders from these affected areas have noted a lack of leads on potential suspects, leaving many to persist in fear and intimidation. Our communities continue to express apprehension regarding the effectiveness of law enforcement coordination in addressing these hate-motivated crimes and whether there is proper federal oversight to safeguard equal protection under the law,” stated the letter dated March 29.
The increasing frequency and timing of these incidents raise significant concerns regarding connections and underlying motives. Just a few coordinated acts of hate can incite fear nationwide within a community that has historically been marginalized or ignored. We must unite to counter hate targeting all religious, ethnic, racial, and cultural minorities in America.
“Therefore, we urge you to clarify the Department’s strategy regarding hate crimes targeting Hindus in the United States,” the letter stated. Khanderao Kand, Chief of Policy and Strategy from the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies, noted a marked increase in vandalism and thefts at American temples in the first quarter of this year, causing alarm among worshippers.
“In light of local officials frequently falling short of investigating these cases thoroughly, we appreciate the efforts of Indian-American Representatives who have petitioned the FBI and DOJ to conduct investigations. We trust that the FBI and DOJ will uncover any existing campaign or conspiracy behind these attacks to reassure peace-loving Indian and South Asian communities of their safety and religious freedoms,” Kand commented.