The Georgia Assembly has passed a resolution condemning Hinduphobia, making it the first US state to take such a legislative measure.
The resolution was introduced by Representatives Lauren McDonald and Todd Jones of Forsyth County in the suburbs of Atlanta.
Condemning Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry, the resolution said Hinduism is one of the largest and oldest religions in the world, with over 1.2 billion followers in over 100 countries and a world of acceptance, mutual respect and peace. A range of diverse traditions and belief systems are involved with the values.
The resolution was introduced by Lauren McDonald and Todd Jones, representatives of Forsyth County in the suburbs of Atlanta, home to one of Georgia’s largest Hindu and Indian-American expatriate communities.
The resolution states that the American-Hindu community has made immense contributions in the fields of medicine, science and engineering, information technology, hospitality, finance, education, manufacturing, among others. It also states that through their contributions to the arts, music, food and yoga, the American-Hindu community has enriched the cultural fabric and improved the lives of millions of people in America.
Claiming that documentary evidence of Hinduphobia has been recorded over the past few decades, the resolution specifically attacks a section of academics who are allegedly “out to destroy Hinduism and its sacred texts and practices of violence and oppression”. trying to accuse.”
The resolution came on the occasion of the first ‘Hindu Advocacy Day’ held on March 22 at the Georgia State Capitol. It was organized by the Atlanta chapter of the Coalition of Hindus of North America (COHNA). The event saw the participation of about 25 lawmakers – both Republicans and Democrats – who pledged to include Hindu voices in the state’s decision-making process and to protect the Hindu community against discrimination of any kind.
“It was a true honor working with Rep. McDonald and Rep. Jones, as well as the other lawmakers who guided us through the entire process of passing this county resolution,” said CoHNA Vice President Rajeev Menon.
He added, “We also heard that all the MLAs were working really long hours considering the volume of legislative items on the agenda, but still decided to join us on the Intercession Day to show that How much importance they give to the Hindu community.”
CoHNA General Secretary Shobha Swamy said, “The issues faced by Hindu Americans in Georgia and the rest of the country through false, Hinduphobic narratives are negatively impacting a community that is hardworking, law-abiding and are going to enrich the fabric of America.”
We solicited their help in combating bigotry that promotes hatred and creates the idea that Hindus and people of Indian origin need special laws and monitoring because of allegations of some inherent tendency to discriminate.