New Jersey Sept 13, 2021: Residents of Cumming, GA and neighboring cities are reeling from the discovery of hateful anti Hindu signs, reminiscent of the deadly Dotbusters gang that targeted Hindus in New Jersey/New York in the 1970s and 80s. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) has denounced the signs that read "No” to a Red Dot, or the "Bindis and Tilaks" that are representative of the Hindu faith.
“No Bindi, No Hindus, No Indians!” That was the cry of the Dotbusters in the 1980s and it haunted the Hindu American Community for decades.
“We Hindu Americans cannot take this lightly. We are fearful for our lives, that of our children playing in playgrounds, swimming pools, basketball courts and other public places,” said Shobha Swamy, Atlanta Resident and General Secretary of CoHNA. “Any attempt to draw boundaries on Hinduism and what it represents is dangerous and encroaches on our civil rights.”
CoHNA is deeply concerned at this open and bigoted attack on Hinduism, which intimidates and imperils the micro-minority Hindu American community. Just last week, CoHNA held a historic Congressional Briefing on the biases faced by Hindu Americans to call attention to this growing problem.
“I am saddened but not surprised at this outpouring of hate in the real world. It is but a small reflection of the virtual hate the Hindu American community was subjected to over the last three days at the 'Dismantling Global Hindutva' conference, an event supported by more than 50 leading U.S. and Canadian universities. When these bastions of learning stand silent as speaker after speaker launches unprovoked and vicious attacks, stereotypes whole groups based on their last names and calls for the dismantling of an entire faith, such real life hate is a natural consequence,” said Nikunj Trivedi, President of CoHNA.
We are thankful to the vigilant neighbors who noticed these Hinduphobic signs and informed the police. These signs were taken off with the help of the police and community members.
It is imperative for the authorities to ensure the safety of Hindu residents and to foster diversity, equity and inclusion for all. CoHNA calls on the authorities to investigate this Hinduphobia to the fullest extent.
