From yoga to ayurveda: US lawmakers backs resolution recognising Hindu-Americans

A prominent US Congressman has backed a House resolution recognising the contributions of the Hindu-American community to the US economy while condemning Hinduphobia, anti-Hindu bigotry, discrimination and attacks targeting Hindu places of worship across the country.

The resolution, proposed by Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar, a Democrat from Michigan, has also received support from Congressman Ro Khanna. The resolution was introduced on January 24 last year and has so far gained the support of 32 lawmakers, including Raja Krishnamoorthi and Suhas Subramanyam.

Through a social media post, Democrat Ro Khanna, who represents California, announced his support for the resolution.

Khanna said, "I'm proud to cosponsor @RepShriThanedar's bill H.Res.69 that celebrates the continued contributions and vibrant diversity of the Hindu-American community in the United States as we work to strengthen our nation's multiracial democracy." Khanna is also of Indian descent.

The resolution notes that Hinduism is among the world's largest and oldest religions, with more than 1.2 billion followers across over 100 countries. It also highlights that Hinduism encompasses a wide range of diverse traditions and belief systems that uphold universal values of acceptance, mutual respect and peace.

According to the resolution, since the 1900s, the US has welcomed more than four million Hindus from around the world, representing diverse racial, linguistic and ethnic backgrounds.

The resolution also highlights that the US has greatly benefited from Hindu Americans in every aspect of the nation's economy and across industries, while Hindu traditions and practices have nourished American society through philosophy, Ayurveda, arts, music, dance, fashion, meditation, yoga and community service.

The resolution also condemns the rising "Hinduphobia, anti-Hindu bigotry, hate, and intolerance" in the US. Despite their positive contributions to the country, Hindu Americans continue to face stereotypes and disinformation about their heritage and symbols, as well as bullying in schools and on college campuses, discrimination, hate speech and bias-motivated crimes.

The influence of Mahatma Gandhi and his teachings on Martin Luther King Jr. was also highlighted in the resolution. King had acknowledged that the principles of nonviolent civil disobedience rooted in Hindu philosophy positively influenced America's civil rights movement.

According to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Hate Crime Statistics Report, anti-Hindu hate crimes targeting temples and individuals, as well as Hinduphobia in American society, have been rising annually.

The resolution celebrates the historical and ongoing contributions of Hindus and Hinduism to the United States, acknowledges the role of Hindu culture in enriching the nation's diversity, and reaffirms America's commitment to welcoming and embracing Hindu Americans.
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