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Raja Krishnamoorthi holds meeting to address rising Hinduphobia in US
The briefing was held to address increasing hate crimes such as incidents of vandalism against mandirs in America.
Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. / X/@CongressmanRaja
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) convened a briefing last week with Indian American members of Congress and senior Department of Justice (DOJ) officials to discuss the Department's strategy for addressing hate crimes targeting Hindus in the United States.
This initiative includes responding to acts of vandalism against mandirs. The meeting was prompted by a letter led by Congressman Krishnamoorthi to the DOJ earlier this year, highlighting incidents of vandalism against mandirs from California to New Jersey, as well as the broader threats faced by the American Hindu community, including on social media.
In the recent months, a series of hate crimes has been reported across America. Samir Kalra, managing director of Policy and Programs at the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), reported to New India Abroad in May a significant rise in bias-motivated crimes against the Hindu American community. HAF noted an increase in reports of hate crimes, especially in late 2023 and early 2024, including temple vandalism and harassment of devotees.
“The community has faced increased harassment as well as hate on social media, especially as many in the Hindu community have stood with the Jewish community in the face of unprecedented anti-semitism,” he had said.
Congressman Krishnamoorthi said "Last week’s meeting was an important starting point for addressing the threats posed by Hinduphobia as the rate of hate crimes across the nation grows and as American Hindus and their places of worship face harassment, vandalism, and even graver dangers".
He continued: “While the Department of Justice has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its outreach to the Hindu American community, significant challenges remain as we continue to work to protect Hindus, and every other American community, from hate crimes."
In January this year, three Hindu temples in the San Francisco Bay Area were the targets for possible hate crimes. Leading Hindu organisations like the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), too, held an event last month to educate the Hindu community on resources available for combating hate crimes, discrimination, and racism.
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