Congressman Thanedar Raises Alarm on Increasing Hinduphobia in the US

In recent times, there has been a concerning surge in Hinduphobia in the United States, prompting Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar to emphasize the importance of combating this prejudice. Addressing a gathering of Hindu leaders and organizations convened by HinduAction at the US Capitol, Thanedar underscored the imperative of countering hate crimes targeting the Hindu community.

Highlighting the alarming trend, Thanedar remarked on the prevalence of Hinduphobia, citing instances such as California's SB403, which addresses caste discrimination, as indicative of the issue's scope. He emphasized the significance of establishing the Hindu Caucus in Congress, noting its role in safeguarding religious freedoms and combating bigotry.

Suhag Shukla from the Hindu American Foundation echoed concerns about the rise in anti-Hindu sentiment, particularly on college campuses, and cited numerous hate crime incidents targeting Hindus in recent years. She expressed dismay at the lack of awareness and proactive measures by law enforcement agencies to address the issue.

Drawing attention to the role of the Khalistan movement in some attacks, Shukla emphasized the need for greater vigilance and awareness within the Sikh community. She also raised concerns about institutionalized discrimination, referencing SB403.

Sunder Iyer, a victim of targeted hate, urged Congress to allocate resources to investigate instances of racial profiling and stereotypes perpetuated by civil rights agencies, citing personal experiences and those of his colleagues.

Tejal Shah of the Hindu Temple Empowerment Council highlighted the emotional toll of temple attacks on community members and priests, urging authorities to address these incidents more seriously and ensure proper investigation and justice.

In a joint declaration, HinduAction and Namaste-Shalom Multifaith Alliance called upon Congress to formally acknowledge the growing threat of anti-Hindu hate through a resolution, signaling a unified stance against discrimination and prejudice.