House resolution condemns hate crimes targeting Hindus
CONGRESSMAN Shri Thanedar has introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives that condemns Hinduphobia, anti-Hindu bigotry, hate, and intolerance.
Presented on Wednesday (10), the resolution has since been referred to the House committee on oversight and accountability.
The resolution reads that despite their positive contributions to the US, Hindu Americans face stereotypes and disinformation about their heritage and symbols, and have been the targets of bullying in schools and on college campuses, as well as discrimination, hate speech, and bias-motivated crimes.
According to the FBI’s Hate Crimes Statistics Report, anti-Hindu hate crimes targeting mandirs (temples) and persons are annually on the rise while in parallel Hinduphobia in American society is unfortunately rising, the resolution said.
The resolution notes that over four million Hindus have immigrated to the US since the 1900s, coming from diverse racial, linguistic, and ethnic backgrounds, and have significantly contributed to every aspect of the nation’s economy and industries.
Recently, Indian American Congress members Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal and Thanedar reached out to the Department of Justice (DoJ) requesting a briefing on the investigations into the rise in vandalism at places of worship, including Hindu temples.
Their letter from March 29 stated, ‘Attacks at mandirs from New York to California have contributed to increased collective anxiety among Hindu Americans. Leaders from these impacted communities have expressed that there are unfortunately ‘no leads’ on suspects, leaving many to continue to live in fear and intimidation.’
They emphasized the need for better coordination between local law enforcement agencies, the FBI, and the DoJ’s civil rights division to ensure equal protection under the law.
Khanderao Kand, chief of policy and strategy from the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies said there has been a sudden spike in vandalism as well as thefts in temples in the US in the first quarter of this year, intimidating devotees.