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CoHNA urges Virginia Senate not to criminalize Swastika symbol
CoHNA also requested the Virginia State Senate to amend HB 2783, protecting the Swastika and distinguishing it from the Nazi Hakenkreuz to defend religious freedoms.
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CoHNA logo / Website- cohna.org
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) called on the Virginia State Senate to oppose the House Bill- HB 2783 in its current form, urging lawmakers to ensure that the Swastika is not mischaracterized as a symbol of hate.
The bill, introduced on Jan. 17 and passed in committee on Feb. 5, makes it illegal to place a Swastika on religious buildings, schools, community centers, private property, or public places where it could cause fear or harm. It treats placing a Swastika in these locations as presumptive evidence of intent to intimidate, with violations classified as a Class 6 felony, which can result in a prison sentence of one to five years.
The bill also updates existing laws and expands where Swastikas can be considered a crime. The implementation of this law could increase prison sentences and cost at least $50,000 for state prisons.
CoHNA is an advocacy organization that represents the interests of Hindus in North America, focusing on promoting awareness about Hindu culture, defending religious rights, and addressing issues affecting Hindu communities.
In an email to the elected officials, CoHNA expressed its opposition to the bill, stated, “Currently, this bill is flawed because it fails to distinguish between the “Hakenkreuz” (“hooked cross”), which is the Nazi symbol of hatred, and the Swastika, which is a symbol of peace, well-being, and prosperity. It is the Nazi hooked cross and NOT the Swastika, that is used as a symbol of hatred towards Jewish Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and other minorities.”
“A symbol derives its meaning not just from the shape but also from the context. Despite the apparent geometrical similarities between the hooked cross and the Swastika, the two have NOTHING to do with each other and are used in diametrically opposite contexts,” emphasized the organization in the email.
CoHNA further stated, “Swastika is a Sanskrit word and a symbol of peace, well-being, and prosperity currently used by nearly two billion people and numerous cultures around the world.”
The organization commented that it fully supports the intent of the bill – to foster a more inclusive and tolerant society for all, given the increase in hate crimes against the Jewish community and others in Virginia.
“It is also important to recognize the transgenerational trauma of the six million Jews, one and a half million Romas, and others killed by Nazi persecution and that the Nazi symbol has a chilling and intimidating effect on Jewish Americans even today.”
However, it urged to oppose the bill in its current form and make the following changes—Remove the word “Swastika” from the bill and refer to the Nazi symbol only as “Hakenkreuz” or the “Nazi hooked cross” in the bill and related materials.
The organization believes that these changes are necessary to prevent the negative consequences.
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