Washington, DC – In a groundbreaking move to recognize the contributions of Hindu Americans and address the rising tide of anti-Hindu bigotry, Congressman Shri Thanedar (D-MI) has announced the introduction of a Congressional Resolution. He is holding a press conference on Monday, April 15 at the National Press Club during which he will announce the introduction of this Congressional Resolution to “Celebrate Hindu Americans and to Condemn Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry.”
The resolution marks a significant step in acknowledging the diverse fabric of American society and standing against discrimination based on religion.
Utsav Chakrabarti, the Executive Director of HinduACTion, hailed this effort as a milestone in recognizing the invaluable contributions of Hindus to American society. He emphasized that it also reflects growing concerns over instances of anti-Hindu hate witnessed across various communities in the nation.
On March 29, Reps. Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Ami Bera, MD (D-CA), and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) officially acknowledged and shared the concerns of the over 5 million strong American Hindu community in a letter addressed to the Department of Justice.
“We have observed an alarming increase in incidents of vandalism at houses of worship across the country, including at Hindu mandirs (“temples”),” the elected officials wrote. “We, the undersigned Members of Congress of South Asian descent, write to request a briefing from the Department of Justice on the status of investigations concerning these crimes to better understand existing law enforcement coordination between local agencies, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Civil Rights Division.”
This action by the Congress members follows a critical Congressional Briefing organized by HinduACTion on March 13. During this briefing, attention was drawn to the escalating instances of targeted anti-Hindu hate within the United States, shedding light on the urgent need for legislative measures to combat such prejudice and ensure the protection of Hindu Americans’ rights.
As the resolution moves forward, it signals a commitment to fostering an inclusive society where all religious communities are respected and valued. Congressman Shri Thanedar’s proposed resolution is poised to serve as a beacon of hope for Hindu Americans and advocates for religious freedom as efforts intensify to eradicate bigotry and discrimination in all its forms within the United States.
