I am writing today to urge you to stand with the Hindu community and issue a statement strongly condemning a highly bigoted, hateful and Hinduphobic resolution recently passed by the Teaneck Democratic Municipal Committee (TDMC).
The resolution that targets Hindus and Hindu organizations in New Jersey, accusing them of being supporters of Nazism, fascism and violence. The resolution also accuses them of promoting terrorism and hatred without any proof or discussions with those being accused, and demonizes those who have served our fellow Americans of all religions, races, ethnicities, etc. during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The resolution has outraged Hindu Americans, who see this as a vicious, false, and provocative act by Democratic Party activists in Teaneck to demonize the entire Hindu community, their activities, their beliefs, and their political participation in New Jersey. It has already been condemned by coalition of over 55 New Jersey based Hindu organizations representing over 155,000 residents of New Jersey, along with various lawmakers, including Congressman Josh Gottheimer, State Senator Vin Gopal and others.
In his statement, Senator Gopal said, “It is unfortunate that this committee that purports to support the ideals of the Democratic Party would act in a manner that illustrates the type of bigotry and hatred that we are working hard as a country to eradicate from our society.”
Teaneck City Council Members Keith Kaplan and Michael Santiago Pagan also expressed their support for the Hindu community, adding, “unfortunately, the TDMC resolution at issue, was felt by some to condemn all Hindus, which encompasses many peaceful members of our larger community here in Bergen County and beyond.” They further stated: “Just as we did on the day we were sworn in, we proclaim: Hate has no home in Teaneck.”
The coalition letter brought to attention the fact that, among other things, the resolution supports events such as the 2021 "Dismantling Global Hindutva" conference, which openly called for the dismantling of Hinduism, called Hinduism a danger to democracy, equality, and brotherhood, and singled out Hindu last names (including the last names of many New Jersey residents), labeling them as purveyors of violence and bigotry. The resolution further attempts to strip Hindu Americans of their right to participate in the established political process of this country, including objecting to bills that the community believes are ill-advised, fallacious, or malicious in nature.
It is also appalling that the resolution demonizes organizations that have diligently served the elderly, the lower-income families, and the most vulnerable sections of the population without regard to race, religion, nationality, or gender throughout the COVID pandemic in cities across the United States and the world. These Hindu American organizations collectively donated over 30 million pounds of food and over$50 million dollars worth of goods and services during the pandemic to help the elderly or individuals in lower-income communities hit hard by the COVID lockdowns. They served those in need across the United States as well as many other countries around the world, including India, Pakistan, South Africa, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and others without discrimination. Over 5,000 volunteers from these organizations collectively served almost one million individuals of all races, ethnicities, religions, and nationalities in big cities and small towns across the United States through weekly food and medical drives distributing food, grocery, hot meals, hygiene kits, and many other essential supplies. At the start of the COVID pandemic, these organizations distributed almost one million N95, KN95, and surgical masks to essential workers inhospitals, schools, and offices in cities across the country. Volunteers from these organizations made more
than 100,000 masks by hand for distribution to those who were not able to acquire them elsewhere.
It is also ironic that the organizations and groups behind the Hinduphobic resolution are painting Hindu organizations as funding terror and hate when some of them and their officers have been indicted by the US Government for their ties to or support of terrorist organizations and individuals connected to al Qaeda, ISIS, Hamas and others in some of the most significant cases and investigations post 9-11, the biggest attack on American soil and an event that murdered hundreds of New Jersey residents.
In a time where there is an increased awareness of the need for diversity, inclusion, and mutual respect, it is ever more important to call out false narratives, bigotry, and hatred as we see it. The Hindu community has witnessed many instances of violence against Hindus, Hindu temples, and Hindu icons.
Recently, a groundbreaking study by Rutgers University flagged rising anti-Hindu disinformation and Hinduphobia, cautioning lawmakers and the Hindu community that online hate can lead to real life violence as has been seen against the Jewish community.
Such resolutions are a stark reminder of the dark days of the "Dot Busters" era in New Jersey, where Hindus were beaten to death and targeted for their religious background and were identified based on the sacred red mark on their forehead ("Bindi" or "Tilak"). S. Rawal, a community organizer and a resident of New Jersey who was 7 years old during the "Dot Busters" campaign of hate, remarked: "Back then, it was ‘dirty’ Hindu, today it is ‘fascist’ Hindu.”
I therefore urge you to issue a statement strongly condemning the TDMC's hate-filled resolution immediately and stand with the Hindu community.
Thank you for your attention on this matter.
References:
Coalition Letter Signed by Over 55 New Jersey Organizations Condemining the TDMC Resolution - https://sewausa.org/resources/2022/document/resolution.pdf
NJ Globe: "Dozens of Hindu Groups Slam Teaneck Dems, Want 'hate filled' Resolution Rescinded" - https://newjerseyglobe.com/local/dozens-of-hindu-groups-slam-teaneck-dems-want-hate-filled-resolution-rescinded/.
5 Key Takeaways from Rutgers University's Study on Hinduphobia - https://cohna.org/5-takeaways-rutgers-hinduphobia-study/
The “Dotbusters” Attack: Hate Crimes Against Asian Indians in Jersey City, NJ – Elizabeth Gutierrez, Temple University Department of Geography and Urban Studies - https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.572.2245&rep=rep1&type=pdf
Dismantling Global Hindutva Conference: 150 American and Canadian Organizations Ask Universities to Disavow Hinduphobia - https://cohna.org/final-org-letter-to-univs-re-dgh-conf/
Infographic: Dismantling Global Hindutva Conference: Why it Must be Condemned - https://cohna.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Post-DGHC-Infographic.pdf
