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Virginia Governor seeks to amend Swastika bill
The bill seeks to criminalize the display of Nazi symbols with the intent to intimidate.
Hakenkreuz and Swastika / Pexels
In a significant move to foster cultural understanding, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has proposed amendments to a house bill, distinguishing the Swastika from the Hakenkreuz (hooked cross).
Gov. Youngkin sent House Bill 2783 (HB2783) back to the General Assembly to include a clear distinction between the Nazi emblem and the Swastika, which holds religious and cultural significance.
The Swastika is a sacred symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, representing peace and prosperity. In contrast, the Hakenkreuz was the emblem used by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime.
Also Read: CoHNA urges Virginia Senate not to criminalize Swastika symbol
The bill, introduced on Jan. 17, initially referred to Hitler’s emblem as "commonly known as swastika." The revised language includes “Hakenkreuz” as the first reference, and then adds “sometimes referred to as the Nazi swastika.”
Earlier versions of the bill, including Senate amendments, failed to make this distinction, raising concerns about misrepresentation. The updated language, shaped by input from Hindu, Jain and Buddhist communities, now prioritizes "Hakenkreuz" while reducing the use of "Nazi swastika."
IMPORTANT UPDATE: New developments in Virginia's bill HB2783 on Nazi symbols. We break down the details and journey (from Jan 17 to today) for you below and discuss why these developments are significant.
— CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) (@CoHNAOfficial) March 26, 2025
Yesterday, Governor Youngkin sent the bill back to include important… pic.twitter.com/eT1fjOOhuQ
Religious groups’ concerns
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) and other advocacy groups had called for this clarification, arguing that previous versions inaccurately linked the Swastika to Nazi ideology.
The revised language also explicitly states that the Swastika remains a religious and cultural symbol for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Zoroastrians, and some Native American traditions.
"For us, this is a critical issue—one that CoHNA has been advocating for since the beginning of February and indeed in all its years of Swastika advocacy," the organization said in a statement.
CoHNA acknowledged the role of Virginia State Senator Kannan Srinivasan in pushing for the changes and also expressed appreciation for Jewish allies who supported their efforts.
The General Assembly will now review the Governor’s amendments before making a final decision on the bill’s passage.
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