Georgia becomes first American state to condemn Hinduphobia, passes resolution

The US state of Georgia and its Home of Representatives not too long ago handed a decision condemning Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry – changing into the primary American state to convey forth such measure. 

The decision, launched by Representatives Lauren McDonald and Todd Jones from Forsyth County within the suburbs of Atlanta said that Hinduism is likely one of the world’s largest and oldest religions, having over 1.2 billion followers. 

“Hinduphobia, as described by the Understanding Hinduphobia Initiative, is “a set of antagonistic, damaging, and derogatory attitudes and behaviours in direction of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) and Hindus which will manifest as prejudice, concern, or hatred,”

The decision tried to construct upon a report by Rutgers College printed final 12 months that said that there had been a noticeable enhance in anti-Hindu disinformation.  

“In July 2022, a report launched by Rutgers College titled “Anti-Hindu Disinformation: A Case Research of Hinduphobia on Social Media” detailed how hate messages in social media translate into actual life threats for folks of the Hindu religion,” learn the decision. 

Within the Rutgers report, it was famous that “white supremacist and 4chan genocidal Pepe memes about Hindus” have been “being shared prolifically inside extremist Islamist internet networks on messaging service Telegram and elsewhere.”

The decision added that Hinduphobia and its associated cases have been being ‘exacerbated’ by some in academia who supported dismantling of Hinduism while propagating the idea that the sacred texts and cultural practices inside the faith have been based mostly on violence and oppression. 

The current spate of assaults on Hindu temples internationally have raised severe query marks over the security of Hindus. From Canada to Australia, quite a few incidents of vandalism of Hindu temples have been recorded for the reason that starting of the 12 months. 

In accordance with ‘Coalition of Hindus of North America’ (CoHNA) – a Hindu advocacy group, Forsyth County is residence to one of many largest Hindu and Indian-American diaspora communities within the state.

“We urged for his or her assist in combating such bigotry which advances hatred and creates the concept Hindus and other people of Indian-origin want particular legal guidelines and monitoring as a result of allegations round some inherent propensity to discriminate,” stated CoHNA Normal Secretary Shobha Swamy

(With inputs from businesses)