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CoHNA spotlights Hinduphobia, temple attacks at U.S. Capitol
A data presentation during the event underscored the rise in attacks on Hindu temples in the U.S., noting that none had resulted in arrests or prosecutions.
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Staff Reporter - Fri, 25, Jul 2025
- 14:29 EDT
- 28
4th annual Hindu Day of Advocacy in the U.S. Capitol / CoHNA
The Coalition of Hindus in North America (CoHNA) on July 22 highlighted hinduphobia and safety concerns amid rising attacks against Hindu temples during its 4th annual Hindu Day of Advocacy in the U.S. Capitol.
More than 100 Hindu American delegates from 17 states participated in the day-long engagement, visiting nearly 150 Congressional offices and meeting with over 25 lawmakers and staffers.
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Speakers pointed to a pattern of attacks on Hindu temples—six in the past 18 months—as well as bullying of students, online harassment, and what they described as institutional neglect. According to CoHNA, such incidents contribute to a climate of growing discrimination against Hindu Americans, often framed through “caste” discourse and certain diversity policies.
“An overarching theme during the event was around safety and the ability to freely practice one’s religion,” said CoHNA president and co-founder Nikunj Trivedi. “It was echoed in the thoughts of several lawmakers who were shocked to know how anti-Hindu hate is playing out in the US.”
Delivering the keynote address, Lee Jussim, a social psychologist at Rutgers University, presented findings from his 2024 study Instructing Animosity. The study found that workplace and academic training based on caste narratives increased negative perceptions of Hindus. Participants exposed to such content were more likely to view neutral actions by Hindus as biased and were more receptive to stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes.
Indian American Representative Shri Thanedar (D-MI) condemned recent hate crimes against Hindus in both the U.S. and abroad, citing violence in Bangladesh and the destruction of temples in New York and California. “These attacks have to stop,” he said. “If one temple is attacked, all temples are attacked.”
Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) expressed pride in his Hindu heritage. “We should not be afraid of being Hindu,” he said, encouraging young people to embrace and advocate for their identity.
Representatives Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), and Thomas Kean Jr. (R-NJ) also spoke at the event, condemning the attacks on Hindu temples and emphasizing the constitutional imperative to safeguard religious liberty. Bishop said elected officials must ensure that Hindu Americans “feel included and safe.”
Students from the University of California, Berkeley, and Rutgers University spoke of being harassed for organizing Hindu student groups, celebrating festivals, or holding vigils. Political figures Krystle Kaul and Bhavini Patel also shared personal experiences of being targeted for their Hindu identity.
Representative Rich McCormick (R-GA) praised CoHNA’s civic engagement and noted shared values between the Hindu community and broader American society. He highlighted the importance of family, faith, and national service.
Global Persecution
Human rights activist Richard Benkin, who has documented Hindu persecution in Bangladesh, warned of worsening conditions under the current Bangladeshi government. He cited the targeted elimination of Hindu educators and the rise of Islamist groups ahead of the 2026 elections, urging U.S. lawmakers to respond with diplomatic and economic measures.
A moment of silence was held for Hindu civilians recently killed in Kashmir and Bangladesh. Community leaders Mohan Sapru and Amit Raina shared personal accounts of violence against Hindus in Kashmir, while Bangladeshi American Hindus testified to continued persecution in their country of origin.
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri addressed the evening reception, presenting his film ‘The Bengal Files’, which focuses on the often-overlooked violence against Hindus during the Partition of India.
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