ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Lead America urges Maryland action after alleged anti-Hindu incident
Organization cites May 16 food distribution confrontation, asks Maryland leaders to address anti-Hindu discrimination concerns.
-
1759953093.png)
Staff Reporter - Thu, 28, May 2026
- 05:17 EDT
- 34
Logo of the organizers / X
Rajesh Gooty, president of Lead America, an advocacy organization based in Virginia, has written to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller expressing concern over what he described as a rise in hate incidents targeting Indian-origin and Hindu communities in Maryland and across the United States.
In the May 27 letter addressed to the governor’s office in Annapolis, Gooty referenced a May 16 incident at a food distribution event organized by the Indian Cultural Association of Howard County, Maryland, and FeedHoCo. He said an individual allegedly shouted anti-Hindu and anti-Indian slurs at community members during the public event attended by children, volunteers and families.
“We stand firmly with the Indian Cultural Association of Howard County, Maryland (ICA), and commend their vital community service work, including partnerships like FeedHoCo,” Gooty wrote. “Such organizations strengthen the fabric of American society through compassion, volunteerism, and cultural contribution.”
ALSO READ: Aruna Miller to speak at West Nottingham graduation
According to the letter, the incident occurred during a large food distribution program serving the community. Gooty alleged that “an extremist individual launched a racist and bigoted verbal assault on community members, including Indian Hindu families.”
“This individual directed slurs and hateful rhetoric in front of children, volunteers, and families,” the letter stated. “What should have been a day of service and solidarity became an attempt to intimidate and humiliate members of our community in a public space.”
Gooty said the incident reflected “a disturbing pattern of growing Hinduphobia and anti-Indian prejudice” and urged Maryland officials to publicly condemn anti-Hindu and anti-Indian hate.
The letter called on state leaders to provide guidance on protecting families from hate incidents, support community safety measures during public events, engage local law enforcement and civic leaders in Howard County, and promote dialogue and education aimed at countering prejudice.
“We urge you, as our elected representative, to take a strong public stand against this rising tide of hate,” Gooty wrote.
The letter also stated that the organization remained committed to “service, unity, and the American ideal” and said community members “will not be silenced or intimidated by extremists.”
Attached to the letter was a statement from Sanjay Shrivastava, president of the Indian Cultural Association, describing the May 16 incident as “a racist and bigoted verbal assault” directed at him and members of the Indian Hindu community during the ICA and FeedHoCo event.
Shrivastava wrote that the alleged remarks were made “in front of children, volunteers, and families” and said the incident was “an attempt to intimidate Hindu and Dharmic families in a public space of service.”
In a separate three-page statement titled “Update: Hinduphobia (Hatred of Hindus) at an ICA food line,” Shrivastava said a police report had been filed. He also alleged that the incident reflected broader concerns about anti-Hindu bias in Howard County.
“Hate has no place in Howard County, not in our schools, not in our institutions, and certainly not in our food lines,” Shrivastava wrote.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
Related
.jpg)
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login