Hindu Slur Hurled As Sikh Student Assaulted On San Jose State Campus

India-West News Desk

SAN JOSE, CA – A wider reckoning over religious hate at San Jose State University has begun, after a Sikh student was violently assaulted while being targeted as a “Hindu” in what authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime.

The February 7 attack unfolded when a group of men, believed to be non-students, surrounded the student on campus, forced him to the ground, and tore off his turban. Witnesses say the attackers repeatedly shouted “Hindu” in a derogatory manner during the assault, underscoring what advocates describe as bias driven violence rooted in ignorance and religious hostility.

While the victim is Sikh, the language used during the attack has sparked alarm among both Sikh and Hindu organizations, who say the slur reflects overlapping forms of hate targeting South Asian faith communities.

The CoHNA Youth Action Network, the youth wing of the Coalition of Hindus of North America, also denounced the assault. In a February 13 statement, the group said that although the victim is Sikh, the use of “Hindu” as a slur suggests anti Hindu bias intertwined with the attack. The organization urged authorities to properly classify the motive, arguing that clearly naming the prejudice involved is necessary for accountability and prevention.

The campus Sikh Collegiate Federation, told NBC that a video – which has not been released to the public – shows five individuals physically overpowering the Sikh student before pulling off his turban.

Sikh student leaders have scheduled a town hall meeting for February 19 to serve as a forum for students to voice concerns and present formal demands to university administrators.

University President Cynthia Teniente Matson condemned the violence in a public statement, calling hate crimes “evil acts that harm entire communities.” She said the university does not tolerate discrimination or violence and pledged support services for those affected. Officials also acknowledged that an initial campus communication misidentified the student’s religion and later issued a correction.