Suhas Subramanyam Shares Bias Experience At CoHNA Hindu Youth Conference

India-West News Desk

PISCATAWAY, NJ- A Hindu youth conference in New Jersey focused on countering anti-Hindu bias, addressing misconceptions about Hinduism and teaching students how to engage policymakers.

The National Hindu Youth Conference was held on October 10 at the Embassy Suites here. Organized by the CoHNA Youth Action Network (CYAN), the youth wing of the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), it featured workshops and scenario-based exercises on discrimination in schools and colleges.

US Representative Suhas Subramanyam, (D-VA) Virginia, joined virtually and recounted how he was asked to downplay his Hindu background and even change his name when he first ran for office.

“I’m proud to be Hindu. I’m proud of being an American,” he said, urging young people to embrace their identities and participate in public service.

Keynote speaker Shawn Binda, a Hindu educator who runs the Hindu Lifestyle platform, asked participants why they identified as Hindu. Drawing on his Indo-Caribbean upbringing, he stressed the importance of understanding Hindu traditions, developing a personal connection to Dharma and building ties across Hindu communities. He said advocacy should be rooted in a deeper connection to the faith rather than driven solely by reactions to attacks.

Other sessions covered campus discrimination, misconceptions about Hinduism and public policy advocacy. Prasiddha Sudhakar, an analyst with the Network Contagion Research Institute and a youth advocate, discussed documenting discrimination, drawing on her campus advocacy and research into anti-Hindu hate and online disinformation.

Rutgers University students led a discussion on Hinduphobia on college campuses, examining examples of religious and cultural misrepresentation in academic settings.

CoHNA president Nikunj Trivedi and Binda addressed common misconceptions about Hinduism. CYAN leaders led a public policy workshop covering research, coalition-building, public education and engagement with decision-makers.

Participants also worked through scenarios involving the portrayal of Hinduism in school textbooks and the labelling of beef-derived ingredients and alternatives in university dining facilities.

The conference concluded with organizers encouraging participants to stay connected and continue their advocacy through CYAN.