Ohio Declares Oct. Hindu Heritage Month with Passage of Landmark Bill

India-West Staff Reporter

COLUMBUS, OH — On December 19, Ohio state senator Niraj Antani celebrated the passage of his bill to designate October as Hindu Heritage Month in Ohio.

Antani, the first Hindu and Indian American state senator in Ohio’s history, said, “This is a huge win for Hindus across Ohio and the country,” Senator Antani said. “Now, every October we will be able to officially celebrate our Hindu heritage in Ohio. This was the culmination of a lot of work by Hindu advocates here in Ohio and across the country, and I was very happy to partner with them to get this passed.”

Antani’s bill was amended into HB 173 on the Senate floor, and both chambers of the Ohio legislature passed the legislation unanimously. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature or veto.

“This recognition of Hindu Heritage Month is a testament to the strength and diversity of Ohio’s communities,” said state representative Adam Mathews, who championed the bill in the House. Representing most of Warren County, which includes a significant population of Hindus in the Cincinnati area, Mathews expressed his gratitude for working alongside Antani and local Hindu constituents to make the bill a reality.

“We are extremely grateful to senator Antani and representative Mathews for their leadership in spearheading this bill to designate October as Hindu Heritage Month,” said Samir Kalra, managing director of the Hindu American Foundation. “By officially recognizing Hindu Heritage Month every year, HB 173 ensures that the contributions, culture, and traditions of Hindu Americans are better understood and appreciated by the people of Ohio.”

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