During the 3rd National Hindu Advocacy Day, Hindu-American leaders and lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to combating Hinduphobia and discrimination against the minority Hindu community in the US. The event, organized by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), brought together Hindu students, researchers, and community leaders to discuss the challenges Hindus face in America.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) is a grassroots advocacy and civil rights organization representing the Hindu community in North America. According to CoHNA, Hindus have faced various attacks this year, including stereotypical colonial frameworks, gaslighting, verbal slurs, and vandalism of temples.
At the event on June 28, Hindu students from Stanford, UC Berkeley, and the University of Georgia shared their personal experiences with Hinduphobia on campus, in classes, and even in their dorms, highlighting the impact of such discrimination on their lives and decisions.
Democratic Congressman Shri Thanedar, who introduced House Resolution 1131 (H. Res 1131), condemned Hinduphobia and attacks on temples while celebrating the contributions of the Hindu-American community. "We are here, and we are fighting," Thanedar declared, emphasizing his intolerance for Hinduphobia and discrimination.
In March, Thanedar had previously spoken out against growing Hinduphobia in the US, recounting how Indian-Americans were racially profiled and stereotyped. At the event, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur shared similar experiences of racial profiling.
Congressman Ro Khanna, a Democrat, praised the growth of the community's advocacy over the past decade, encouraging the audience to be proud of their heritage and roots.
Republican Congressmen Rich McCormick and Max Miller also expressed their support for the Hindu-American community. McCormick welcomed the community's engagement in policymaking and its potential to shape America's future. Miller assured the community of his unwavering support, stating he would stand with them against any challenges to their values and rights.
