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Atlanta: The representatives of Forsyth County in the Georgia State Legislature have passed a resolution condemning Hinduphobia, anti-Hindu bigotry, and intolerance and declared Forsyth County as a place that welcomes the diversity brought by Hindu Americans and all those who work hard, follow the laws, uphold family values, and contribute to the economic and social well being.

The resolution states Forsyth County is a place that welcomes the diversity brought by Hindu Americans and all those who work hard, follow the laws, uphold family values, and contribute to the economic and social well being.

The resolution presented by Representatives Lauren McDonald and Todd Jones, goes on to underscore Hinduism as one of the world’s largest and oldest religions with over 1.2 billion adherents in over 100 countries and which encompasses an array of diverse traditions and belief systems with values of acceptance, mutual respect, and peace.

Further, it says, the United States has always been a beacon of hope, progress, and innovation, attracting people from around the world to create and live a better and fulflling life, and has welcomed more than four million Hindus from all corners of the world and given them better opportunities and the freedom to practice Hinduism, also known as Sanatana Dharma”.

It has also been emphasised through the resolution that the American Hindu community has been a major contributor to diverse sectors such as medicine, science and engineering, information technology, hospitality, finance, academia, manufacturing, energy, retail trade, and so much more. The Hindu contributions of Yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, food, music, arts, and more have enriched the cultural fabric and have been widely adopted in American society and enriched the lives of millions. 

The resolution goes on to categorically point out that Hinduphobia, as described by the Understanding Hinduphobia Initiative, is “a set of antagonistic, destructive, and derogatory atitudes and behaviors towards Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) and Hindus that may manifest as prejudice, fear, or hatred”.

There have been documented instances of hate crimes against Hindu Americans over the last few decades in many parts of the country, the resolution pointes out.

Citing from a July 2022, report released by Rutgers University titled “Anti-Hindu Disinformation: A Case Study of Hinduphobia on Social Media”, the resolution adds, it has detailed how hate messages in social media translate into real life threats for people of the Hindu faith. Hinduphobia is exacerbated and institutionalized by some in academia who support the dismantling of Hinduism and accuse its sacred texts and cultural practices of violence and oppression.