Georgia Introduces Bill To Recognize Hinduphobia In Discrimination Law

India-West News Desk

ATLANTA, GA – Georgia has become the first U.S. state to introduce legislation addressing Hinduphobia. Senate Bill 375, if passed, would require agencies and law enforcement to consider anti-Hindu bias when investigating discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin.

The bill would also allow courts to consider Hinduphobia in determining whether victims were specifically targeted in criminal cases.

Advocacy groups, including the Coalition of Hindus in North America (CoHNA) and the Hindus of Georgia PAC, have praised the bill as a landmark step in protecting Hindu Americans. This move follows Georgia’s 2023 resolution condemning discrimination against Hindus, making it the first state to officially acknowledge such bias.

According to a 2023–24 Pew Research Center study, Hindus make up approximately 0.9% of the U.S. population, or about 2.5 million people.

Meanwhile, Hindu-American groups are expressing concern over a separate bill in California. Senate Bill 509, introduced by Senator Anna Caballero, aims to help law enforcement address “transnational repression”—foreign interference in diaspora communities. Critics argue that the bill’s vague language could unintentionally target Hindus.