The state of Georgia has put forward a legislative proposal aimed at formally recognizing Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu discrimination. Should this bill be enacted, it would revise Georgia’s penal code to explicitly define Hinduphobia and direct law enforcement agencies to take necessary actions in response to hate crimes targeting Hindus within the United States. The legislation, known as Senate Bill 375, has garnered bipartisan support from Republican Senators Shawn Still and Clint Dixon, as well as Democratic Senators Jason Esteves and Emanuel D. Jones. This bill seeks to introduce a new clause in the Georgia code that characterizes “Hinduphobia” as a collection of hostile, harmful, and derogatory attitudes and behaviors directed at Hinduism. It would require both state and local law enforcement agencies to consider Hinduphobia when enforcing existing anti-discrimination laws. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) remarked that Georgia would be the first state to propose such a bill, potentially marking a significant historical moment if it is passed.
They expressed gratitude to Senator Shawn Still and his colleagues for their support of the Hindu community’s needs in Georgia and across the United States. Additionally, the resolution recognizes Hinduism as one of the oldest religions globally, with over 1.2 billion followers in more than 100 countries.The resolution was spearheaded by Republican Representatives Lauren McDonald and Todd Jones, who represent Forsyth County, home to one of Georgia’s largest Hindu and Indian-American populations. This resolution has been positively received by Hindu advocacy organizations and religious leaders, as it aims to honor the contributions of Hindus to American society while denouncing acts of hate speech and violence against them. According to the 2023-2024 Pew Research Center Religious Landscape Study, there are approximately 2.5 million Hindus in the United States, making up about 0.9 percent of the national population, with over 40,000 residing in Georgia.
