By Ritu Jha-
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen emphasized the importance of community solidarity in combating hate crimes during a recent Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) annual event in Milpitas. The event gathered elected officials and leaders from the Indian American community.
“The best way to create a safe community is to look out for each other,” Rosen said.
Rosen highlighted the challenges in prosecuting hate crimes, sharing that his office receives about 20 to 30 potential hate crime cases annually and files charges in 15 to 20 of them. Despite the relatively small number, he called it a “tragic trickle” and lamented the underreporting of such crimes due to fear and distrust.
“When something legally can be done, when hateful bias crosses the criminal line, we vigorously prosecute those cases,” he said.
Rosen explained that hate crimes harm not only the individual victims but entire communities. He cited local incidents, including a Sunnyvale attack where a man drove into a Hindu father and his two children, robberies targeting women in saris, and vandalism of temples.
“Hate crimes are not only morally reprehensible; they are profoundly un-American,” Rosen said. “When criminal hatred does happen here, our community reacts with concern and care. Hate will never be allowed to root and grow here invasively.”
Rosen’s remarks were echoed by other speakers at the event, including Consul General of India in San Francisco Dr. T.V. Nagendra Prasad, who highlighted the India-U.S. partnership and contributions of the Indian diaspora. He noted that over 330,000 Indian students in U.S. universities contribute $10 billion to the economy annually and referenced recent defense agreements, including India’s procurement of MQ-9B drones and a collaboration on GE F414 engine production.
FIIDS Chief of Policy and Strategy Khanderao Kand discussed the organization’s focus on issues like U.S.-India relations, hate crimes, and immigration policy. Kand highlighted the broken immigration system affecting Indian students, who face decades-long waits for green cards.
“This year, one of our main focuses has been immigration,” Kand said. “We held an immigration summit and continue to advocate with elected officials to address these challenges.”
Kand also introduced FIIDS’ Congressional Works and Policy Studies Internship Program, which aims to engage high school students in government policies and leadership.
Interns Samyukta Kumar and Tanishka Nath shared their experiences. Kumar described his role as a congressional intern under Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi in Washington, D.C., and Tanishka reflected on skills gained during her online internship.
FIIDS plans to continue its efforts in advocacy, community engagement, and empowering the next generation of leaders through internships and partnerships.
