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California assembly proposes Hindu Appreciation month resolution
The resolution was introduced by Assmeblymembers Ash Kalra and Dr. Darshana Patel on May 18 and is currently marked as 'Pending Referral'.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Thu, 21, May 2026
- 04:58 EDT
- 34
Representative image / Pexels
California Assmeblymembers Ash Kalra and Dr. Darshana Patel introduced the California Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month resolution on May 18
Currently marked as 'Pending Referral', the proposed resolution, ACR 207, dedicates the month of October as Hindu Heritage Month, celebrating Hindu heritage and the impact of the American Hindu community in California and beyond.
It also acknowledges some of the current challenges faced by the community, including the vandalism of four Hindu temples in the state as well as the documented rise of anti-Hindu hate.
The Coalition of Hindu Americans also extended its support to the proposed resolution. Hailing the contributions of the two assmeblymembers, the organization remarked, "Thank you Assembly Members Ash Kalra and Dr. Darshana Patel for introducing ACR 207 and for your collaboration on this important nuanced resolution.
CoHNA added, "We look forward to seeing ACR 207 being adopted quickly and unanimously in the legislature."
The resolution spotlights the "extraordinary cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity of its residents", acknowledging that California is home to one of the largest Hindu American populations in the United States.
Also Read: California Assembly passes HR 100 recognizing Vaisakhi
Highlighting the significance of the celebration, it remarks, "The year 2026 marks the 133rd anniversary of when Hinduism was officially introduced to the United States by Swami Vivekananda in 1893 at the World’s Parliament of Religions in the City of Chicago, and the 126th anniversary of when he founded the Vedanta Society in the City of San Francisco, California, in 1900."
The resolution further recognizes Hindu values such as “seva,” or selfless service, and “ahimsa,” meaning nonviolence, while also acknowledging celebrations including Diwali, which California officially recognized as a public holiday beginning in 2026.
It also acknowledges that there are over 120 Hindu temples, religious centers, and cultural centers throughout California, while highlighting the Hindu-American community's contributions to the State's higher education, entrepreneurial spirit, and its service to the nation.
However, the resolution also points out the discrimination faced by the community, in spite of its contributions. It spotlights incidents of vandalism of the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple in the City of Newark, the Vijay’s Sherawali Temple in the City of Hayward, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in the City of Mather and the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in the City of Chino Hills.
The resolution condemns all hate crimes and bias incidents against Hindu Americans, Hindu temples, and other places significant to the Hindu community while calling for greater awareness and understanding of Hindu Americans in California, while celebrating its contributions and cultural importance to the state.
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