Hindu American Foundation

The House Judiciary Committee today held a hearing on “Hate Crimes and the Rise of White Nationalism,” for which the Hindu American Foundation submitted a written statement for the record.

After attending the hearing HAF Director of Government Relations Jay Kansara offered the following statement:

“We commend the House Judiciary Committee for taking the bold step of holding today’s hearing on the growing threat of White Nationalism. While there were many contentious moments between witnesses and members of Congress, as well as between Members themselves on opposite sides of the aisle, it was a much needed conversation. However, missing from today’s proceedings was any mention of the connection between White Nationalism and Christian Supremacy in the United States. It is important for lawmakers to examine how these ideologies feed off of each other, and inspire intolerance and acts of aggression towards religious and racial minorities in our country.”

Ranging from temple desecration to acts of physical violence, anti-Hindu hate crimes have been on the rise in the United States for the past three years. In January, a 17-year old white male broke into and defaced a Hindu mandir (temple) in Louisville, Kentucky with Christian supremacist and profane anti-immigrant graffiti.

HAF urges anyone that has been harassed, assaulted or threatened with harm on the basis of their identity (e.g., race, religion, disability, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation), to report the incident to law enforcement immediately. Similarly, community members should report any incidents involving vandalism, hateful graffiti, desecration, arson, or violence directed towards temples, gurudwaras, and other properties or places of worship.

HAF also requests help in tracking incidents of identity-based or bias-motivated intimidation, threats, harassment, and violence being experienced in our communities by filling out the Bias-Motivated Crime Data Collection Form, if they or someone they know has experienced or witnessed an incident.