Gorgia assembly in the US passes law condemning Hinduphobia

First US state to take such a legislative measure

The Georgia Assembly has approved a resolution condemning Hinduphobia, making it the first American state to do so. The resolution condemned Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry, stated that Hinduism is one of the world's largest and oldest religions, with over 1.2 billion adherents in over 100 nations, and that it includes a wide range of diverse traditions and belief systems based on acceptance, mutual respect, and peace. 

Representatives Lauren McDonald and Todd Jones of Forsyth County in Atlanta's suburbs introduced the resolution, which is home to one of Georgia's biggest Hindu and Indian-American diaspora groups.

According to the resolution, the American-Hindu community has made significant contributions to a variety of fields, including medical, science and engineering, information technology, hospitality, finance, academia, manufacturing, energy, and retail trade, among others.

The resolution stated that there have been documented instances of hate crimes against Hindu-Americans in many parts of the country over the last few decades, and that Hinduphobia is exacerbated and institutionalised by some in academia who support the deconstruction of Hinduism and accuse its sacred texts and cultural practises of violence and oppression.

The Atlanta chapter of the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) led this initiative, organising the first-ever Hindu Advocacy Day on March 22 at the Georgia State Capitol. It was attended by approximately 25 legislators, both Republicans and Democrats, who joined the Hindu community to understand their concerns, pledge to create ways to protect the community from discrimination, and facilitate the inclusion of Hindu voices in important decision-making processes in the state.