3 weeks ago
Anti-Hindu hate crimes stay low while hostility toward Indians grows
This story is about Hindu and Indian people living in America.
A man named Raju Rajagopal, who came from India in the 1960s, is worried about mean things he hears.
Some people have become unfriendly toward Indian people in recent years.
But the FBI, America's crime-tracking agency, says hate crimes against Hindu people are still very rare.
Hate crimes are when someone hurts or scares a person because of their religion or where they come from.
The FBI says crimes against Hindu people happen much less often than crimes against Jewish, Muslim, or Sikh people.
Some groups say Hindu people are in danger and want new laws to protect them.
The state of Georgia passed a rule that says being mean to Hindu people is wrong.
Some people wonder why Georgia did this when almost no hate crimes against Hindu people happened there.
Others worry the rule is too unclear and could be used to stop people from asking hard questions.
FBI data shows anti-Hindu hate crimes remain at the lowest end of tracked categories, while Sikhs, Muslims, and Jews face hate crimes at far higher rates.
Hostility toward Indians in the U.S. has grown since the H-1B visa controversy during President Donald Trump's second term.
Georgia passed House Resolution 701 condemning 'Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry' in March 2023 despite only one anti-Hindu crime being reported in the state over five years.
In Frisco, Texas, where 20% of residents are Indian, the City Council has become a battleground between older conservative residents and newer Indian residents.
Representative Shri Thanedar's House Resolution 69, claiming anti-Hindu hate crimes are rising, is contradicted by FBI data, the author says, and four of five Indian/Hindu U.S. representatives have cosponsored it.
- Who
- Raju Rajagopal, co-founder of Hindus for Human Rights, along with Hindutva organizations, Georgia lawmakers, and Indian American communities in the U.S.
- What
- An analysis of FBI data showing anti-Hindu hate crimes remain low amid growing hostility toward Indians and scrutiny of 'Hinduphobia' resolutions in Georgia.
- Where
- United States, particularly Georgia and Frisco, Texas.
- When
- FBI data from 2024-2026; House Resolution 701 passed on March 27, 2023; House Resolution 69 was introduced in early 2025.
- Why
- Concerns about rising anti-Indian hostility from parts of the MAGA Right and questions over Hindutva organizations' lobbying for special legislative protections for Hindus.
Skeptics of Hinduphobia legislation
Hindutva organizations and allies
Anti-Hindu hate crime trend
Skeptics of Hinduphobia legislation
FBI data shows anti-Hindu hate crimes have stayed at the lowest end of tracked categories for five years, contradicting claims of a surge.
Hindutva organizations and allies
House Resolution 69 claims anti-Hindu hate crimes targeting mandirs and persons are annually on the rise and require legislative action.
'Hinduphobia' working definition
Skeptics of Hinduphobia legislation
The broad 2022 'working definition' could be weaponized to silence criticism of caste oppression and Hindutva, similar to expanded antisemitism definitions many Jews reject.
Hindutva organizations and allies
A clear definition of Hinduphobia is needed to legitimize and combat real anti-Hindu hatred, including by those who deny it exists.
Georgia resolution necessity
Skeptics of Hinduphobia legislation
It is puzzling that Georgia, with virtually no anti-Hindu hate crimes, champions only Hindu protections; the resolution passed the same day it was introduced and drew over 1,000 opposing comments.
Hindutva organizations and allies
Georgia became the first U.S. state to pass a resolution condemning anti-Hindu hate; 'we must stand against Hinduphobia.'
Key facts
- Anti-Hindu hate crimes in Georgia (5 years)
- 1 (vandalism)
- Other Georgia hate crimes (5 years)
- 18 anti-Sikh, 6 anti-Muslim, 42 anti-Jewish, 99 anti-White
- FBI hate crime trends (2024-2026)
- Trended downward or held steady for most communities
- House Resolution 701 passage
- March 27, 2023, Georgia
- Donations to Republican sponsors
- Over $80,000 from 'Hindus of Georgia' PAC
- Frisco, Texas Indian population
- 20% of residents
- SB 375 status
- Proposed criminalizing Hinduphobia; did not pass
- House Resolution 69 sponsor
- Representative Shri Thanedar (Michigan), introduced early 2025
Quotes
Ria Chakrabarty
Senior Policy Director of Hindus for Human Rights
““Hindus and Muslims are not ‘taking over’ Texas. We are building homes, raising families, serving our communities, praying in our own traditions, and contributing to the shared civic life of this country.””
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U.S. Congressman Sanford Bishop
U.S. Representative and civil‑rights advocate
““We must stand against Hinduphobia. My state of Georgia became the first U.S. state to pass a resolution condemning anti‑Hindu hate.””
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Mario Nawfal
X host and commentator
““Georgia had outlawed ‘Hinduphobia and anti‑Hindu bigotry’ and made them crimes.””
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Sources
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