May 23, 2024, California: A new report from the California Civil Rights Department compiles and analyzes data from their “CA vs Hate” hotline launched last year. The startling data shows that nearly a quarter of reported hate incidents in the religion category targeted Hindus! Anti-Jewish incidents topped the list at 36.9%, and anti-Hindu hate came in second-accounting for 23.3%! Anti -Muslim hate comprised 14.6% of the incidents.
This echoes the lived experiences of many of us in the Hindu community, who have seen bigotry and hate against us glossed over, explained away and even denied. FBI data and research from universities like Rutgers have documented the growing hate against Hindus in America. The rash of attacks on individuals and on Hindu temples from New York to California has brought the problem home most viscerally, traumatizing the community and impacting the ability of some to practice their faith freely. Hinduphobia is a growing problem.
