iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
The city of Fremont, California issued a https://fremontca.viebit.com/player.php?hash=SRI3LUx6R0XH and acknowledged a rise in hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents where Hindus have been targeted. In the proclamation, the city authorities noted the considerable social and economic contributions of Hindu Americans to Fremont and also thanked Hindu American Foundation (HAF) for offering community advocacy and education work over the past decade.
The proclamation read out by Fremont city Mayor Lily Mei says: “Fremont has welcomed Hindus from across the world and given them the freedom to practice Hinduism; Fremont has greatly benefited from Hindu Americans through the Vedanta philosophy, Ayurvedic medicine, classical Indian art, dance, music, meditation, yoga, literature; Fremont Hindu temples, organizations, and individuals actively engage in seva (selfless service), through charity, public service, and free social services; Hindu Americans have contributed to Fremont’s economic vitality, growth, and wellbeing, in business, law, politics, information technology, medicine, and science; despite their positive contributions, Hindu Americans have been the targets of bullying, discrimination, hate speech, harassment, and bias-motivated crimes; Hinduphobia is ‘a set of antagonistic, destructive, and derogatory attitudes and behaviors towards Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) and Hindus that may manifest as prejudice, fear, or hatred’; one out of three Hindu American students reported that they have been bullied in school for their religious beliefs; according to FBI statistics, anti-Hindu hate crimes are on the rise; the people of Fremont actively dedicate themselves to the principles of human rights, individual freedom, equal protection under the laws of a just and democratic society, and to remain vigilant against hatred and prosecution.”
“Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the City Council of the City of Fremont does hereby recognize the Hindu American Foundation for their advocacy in educating the public about Hindu and Hinduism, and their support for ensuring the well-being of all people and the planet,” the declaration added.
Since 2018, the city of Fremont has seen a rise in hate crime, though not involving Hindu.
According to Geneva Bosques, director of communications and legislative affairs, in 2018 there were 6 cases, whereas in 2021 there were 7 cases and in 2022 there were 10 cases.
“The highly publicized (via social media) Taco Bell incident, is the only incident we have identified. We have not seen a rise in reported hate crimes involving Hindus,” Bosques told indica through an email.
After receiving the proclamation for HAF, the non-profit advocacy organization’s managing director Samir Kalra said: “As a native of Fremont, I am very proud that our city has come together today to condemn hate, whether its Hinduphobia or any other hate. I’m here not just as a representative of the Hindu American Foundation, but on behalf of the entire Hindu American community that is gathered here today. Thank you so much everyone for coming, and to all the wonderful organizations: CoHNA, HSS, Fremont Hindu Temple, Americans for Hindus, and many others. We applaud your efforts in coming out. Thank you again to Fremont for recognizing that hate will not be tolerated in our city. And that we stand united in combating Hinduphobia and other forms of hate.”
HAF’s work on highlighting the contribution of Hindu Americans to US society through proclamations and resolutions dates back to 2013 when the first Hindu American Appreciation and Awareness Month declaration was made in California. Since then, HAF has provided materials to the community, freely available for anyone to copy and use so that they can get local HAAAM resolutions enacted.
Among the many community members, and representatives of Hindu American community groups present who received the proclamation with Kalra, were Dr Romesh Japra, a prominent leader of the Hindu community, Rakhi Israni from Sewa USA, and Krishnan Iyer. Iyer is the victim of a nationally-publicized Hinduphobic incident in a Fremont Taco Bell, during which many anti-Hindu slurs and epithets were used against him, all of it caught on video. “We’re so proud of him for standing up bravely through that. He has been a voice for our community,” Kalra said on Iyer’s participation in the event.
