Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ A group of prominent Indian-Americans has called on lawmakers in the United States to address the issue of increasing Hinduphobia activities and protect the rights of the Hindu community in the country. The Second National Hindu Advocacy Day took place at the US Capitol and saw the participation of 21 Congressmen who emphasized the need to combat discrimination against Hindus.
During the conference organized by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), Congressman Rich McCormick highlighted the problem of discrimination based on race and religion, emphasizing that Hinduphobia and intimidation of the Hindu community have long been issues. He criticized bills like California’s SB403, which he considered racist, discriminatory, and divisive, as they seek to classify people in ways that go against their own self-identification.
Congressman Sri Thanedar expressed his support for freedom of religion and spoke about the peaceful nature of Hinduism, calling for the protection of Hindus’ right to practice their religion without hate, prejudice, or phobia. He also mentioned his efforts in creating a Hindu caucus in Congress to ensure representation for diverse groups.
The Hindu Advocacy Day was attended by Hindu Americans from 12 states, including Congressmen Hank Johnson, Tom Keane, Rich McCormick, Sri Thanedar, Buddy Carter, Sanford Bishop, and Ohio State Senator Niraj Antani. Antani emphasized that Hindus are facing attacks in the US.
According to Nikunj Trivedi, President of CoHNA, there has been growing awareness about the Hindu community in the US. He cited positive developments such as resolutions and proclamations against Hinduphobia in states like Georgia and cities like Fremont, California, and Memphis, Tennessee. Trivedi also mentioned the successful declaration of Diwali as a holiday in New York City public schools due to the growing popularity of Hindu festivals.
Professor Babones, Executive Director of the Indian Century Roundtable, questioned the notion of “caste discrimination” in America, highlighting the challenge of determining someone’s caste given the numerous castes and tribes in India. He argued that “Dalit” is not a caste and expressed skepticism regarding California lawmakers’ ability to address caste-related issues in the US without proper data.
Overall, the Hindu Advocacy Day aimed to draw attention to the discrimination faced by the Hindu community in the US and promote efforts to protect their rights and religious freedom.
