CoHNA Brings Hindu Advocates To Capitol Hill, Highlights Contributions And Challenges
India-West Staff Reporter
WASHINGTON, DC – A packed room on Capitol Hill on July 24 saw a cross-section of Americans of the Hindu faith gather for the fourth annual event celebrating their community’s contributions and highlighting the challenges they face.
On the heels of CoHNA’s five-year anniversary, more than 100 Hindu delegates from 17 states visited nearly 150 Congressional offices to raise awareness. The gathering drew over 25 lawmakers who heard from academics, students, and human rights leaders.
Anti-Hindu Hate
“An overarching theme during the event was around safety and the ability to freely practice one’s religion,” said Nikunj Trivedi, CoHNA president and co-founder. “It was echoed in the thoughts of several lawmakers who were shocked to know how anti-Hindu hate is playing out in the U.S.”
CoHNA highlighted that the Hindu community has faced multiple temple attacks, Hindu students have been bullied and doxxed on elite campuses, and individuals have been gaslit by academics and colleagues, often encountering institutional indifference and inaction. CoHNA’s advocacy day received bipartisan support from both Democrats and Republicans, united in their encouragement of advocacy and dismayed by attacks on Hindu places of worship.
Representative Rich McCormick (R-GA) emphasized the importance of such events, reflecting on his long involvement with the community. He highlighted shared values, including a focus on family, faith, and country.
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) expressed pride in his Hindu faith, noting its influence on American society through yoga and philosophy. “I’m happy to see many young Hindus here, championing the cause of Hindus and their rights, both here and abroad. We should not be afraid of being Hindu! The future generation is crucial for our community’s voice,” he stated.
Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) appreciated the shared values he observed. Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) shared stories of his long association with the Hindu community. Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. (R-NJ) offered support and encouraged continued engagement, citing his involvement with key House committees.
Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI) called out the explosion of hate and bigotry globally, citing ongoing atrocities in Bangladesh where Hindus face persecution, and emphasizing the need for action via economic sanctions. Thanedar also highlighted the growing number of temple attacks in the U.S., including in New York and California. “These attacks have to stop,” he asserted, vowing to continue fighting such hate.
Delivering the keynote, Dr. Lee Jussim of the Rutgers Social Perceptions Lab shared data from “Instructing Animosity,” an academic study released in November 2024. This study, based on a nationally representative sample, found that exposure to caste discrimination narratives in the workplace and academia results in bias against Hindus as a whole.
Human rights activist and author Richard Benkin stressed the deteriorating situation for Hindus in Bangladesh, urging lawmakers to act. A highlight of the evening was a talk by filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, whose film The Bengal Files addresses the forgotten genocide of Hindus during India’s 1947 partition.
Earlier, the event began with mantras and a solemn moment of silence for Hindu civilians killed in recent months in places like Pahalgam and Bangladesh. Kashmiri community leaders Mohan Sapru and Amit Raina provided historical and personal context to recent terror attacks.
Political leaders Krystle Kaul and Bhavini Patel shared heartfelt testimonies of the harassment they faced due to their backgrounds. A powerful panel of student voices from the University of California, Berkeley, and Rutgers University brought to life the hostility Hindu youth face on campus.
