A prominent US Congressman has backed a House resolution recognising the contributions of the Hindu-American community to the US economy while condemning Hinduphobia, anti-Hindu bigotry, discrimination, and attacks targeting Hindu places of worship across the country.
The resolution, proposed by Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar, a Democrat from Michigan, has received support from Congressman Ro Khanna. Introduced on January 24 last year, it has gained the support of 32 lawmakers, including Raja Krishnamoorthi and Suhas Subramanyam.
Through a social media post, Democrat Ro Khanna, who represents California, announced his support. “I’m proud to cosponsor @RepShriThanedar’s bill H.Res.69 that celebrates the continued contributions and vibrant diversity of the Hindu-American community in the United States as we work to strengthen our nation’s multiracial democracy,” Khanna said.
The resolution notes that Hinduism is among the world’s largest and oldest religions, with more than 1.2 billion followers across over 100 countries. It highlights that Hinduism encompasses diverse traditions and belief systems upholding universal values of acceptance, mutual respect, and peace.
Since the 1900s, the US has welcomed more than four million Hindus from around the world, representing diverse racial, linguistic, and ethnic backgrounds. The US has greatly benefited from Hindu Americans in every aspect of the nation’s economy and across industries, while Hindu traditions nourish American society through philosophy, Ayurveda, arts, music, dance, fashion, meditation, yoga, and community service.
The resolution condemns rising “Hinduphobia, anti-Hindu bigotry, hate, and intolerance” in the US. Hindu Americans continue to face stereotypes, disinformation about their heritage and symbols, bullying in schools, discrimination, hate speech, and bias-motivated crimes.
The influence of Mahatma Gandhi and his teachings on Martin Luther King Jr. was highlighted. King acknowledged that principles of nonviolent civil disobedience rooted in Hindu philosophy positively influenced America’s civil rights movement.
According to the FBI Hate Crime Statistics Report, anti-Hindu hate crimes targeting temples and individuals, as well as Hinduphobia in American society, have been rising annually.
The resolution celebrates historical and ongoing contributions of Hindus and Hinduism to the United States, acknowledges Hindu culture’s role in enriching the nation’s diversity, and reaffirms America’s commitment to welcoming Hindu Americans.
Hindu-American contributions strengthen America’s multicultural fabric and democratic values.
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