Latest news with #CoHNA
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Flushed down the toilet': UC Berkeley student senate rejects Hindu Heritage month; sparks accusations of Hinduphobia, bullying
A video of the meeting, now widely shared on social media platform X, shows one student making a choking gesture and dramatically pretending to suffocate while the resolution was being discussed. (AP) In a decision that has ignited widespread backlash, the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC) at UC Berkeley voted against a resolution to recognize October as Hindu Heritage Month , prompting outrage from Hindu students , advocacy groups, and civil rights observers. The proposal, Senate Resolution No. 2024/2025-042, was authored by a Caribbean Hindu student and focused solely on celebrating the contributions of Hindus to American society and the UC Berkeley campus. It highlighted Hindu achievements in science, technology, education, and the arts, deliberately avoiding any reference to Indian politics, Hindu nationalism, or current global events. Yet despite its apolitical tone, the resolution faced vehement opposition. Several student senators claimed the measure could be 'used to legitimize Hindu nationalist ideology,' even though those words appear nowhere in the text. The resolution failed to pass, with critics citing vague political concerns while allowing similar heritage recognitions for other groups to proceed without resistance. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) called the vote discriminatory and accused the Senate of engaging in 'Hinduphobia masked as caution.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3 Reasons to Plug This Into Your Home Today elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo The organization condemned what it described as bullying behavior during the March 5 public meeting and singled out Senator Isha Chander for allegedly steering the discussion toward divisive political rhetoric. CoHNA also expressed solidarity with Senator Justin Taylor, who supported the resolution and, according to observers, faced hostility and mockery from colleagues during the debate. A video of the meeting, now widely shared on social media platform X, shows one student making a choking gesture and dramatically pretending to suffocate while the resolution was being discussed, a moment many interpreted as a disturbing display of disdain for Hindu concerns. CoHNA demanded a formal investigation, an apology to the Hindu student community, and accountability for what it called "public bullying of a fellow senator. " Adding to the controversy, the ASUC temporarily removed the video of the meeting from its Facebook page during student elections. Critics argue this move amounted to political censorship aimed at avoiding scrutiny. 'What are they trying to hide?' CoHNA questioned, calling the deletion 'deeply suspicious' and 'indicative of institutional bias.' The resolution's defeat has reignited concerns about unequal representation of minority faiths on campus. 'All three Abrahamic religions have formal representation at ASUC,' one student speaker said. 'But when it comes to Hindus, our culture is treated as a political threat. The resolution was flushed down the toilet', a crude phrase actually used by one senator during the session. While the ASUC defended its decision as a measure to avoid 'unintended political implications,' Hindu students and supporters argue that the episode reflects a deeper problem: the growing tendency to conflate cultural celebration with controversial geopolitics—especially when it involves Hindu identity. 'It's exhausting,' said one student. 'We just wanted to celebrate our heritage. Instead, we were told to defend politics we don't even identify with.' The debate at UC Berkeley is far from over, as Hindu student organizations, alumni, and advocacy groups now call for transparency, reform, and equal respect for all communities on campus—regardless of the geopolitical baggage others may project onto them.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pahalgam attack: 'Declare Pakistan a terrorist country,' Hindus, Jews, Iranians raise voice in Canda
Hindu Forum Canada, CoHNA and other Hindu Canadian organisations organised a massive candlelight vigil and rally in Toronto on the Night of 26th April 2025. More than five hundred Canadian Hindus, Jews, Baloch and Iranians gathered on the streets of Toronto. They marched and chanted 'Pakistan Murdabad'. All community leaders urged Canadian Government to declare Pakistan a terrorist country Show more Show less
Times of Oman
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
US: BAPS Hindu Temple vandalized in California, days ahead of "Khalistan referendum" in LA
California: A BAPS Hindu Temple located in Chino Hills, California was vandalised with discretionary messages, days ahead of a so-called 'Khalistani referendum' in Los Angeles. The official page of BAPS for the United States, shared the details of the incident on social media platform X. It also stressed that they will "never let hate take root" and peace and compassion shall prevail. In a post on X, BAPS Public Affairs wrote, "In the face of another Mandir desecration, this time in Chino Hills, CA, the Hindu community stand steadfast against hate. Together with the community in Chino Hills and Southern California, we will never let hate take root. Our common humanity and faith will ensure that peace and compassion prevail." The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), also shared details of the incident on X, and said the desecration of the iconic BAPS Temple in California comes ahead of the "so called Khalistan referendum" in Los Angeles. "Another Hindu Temple vandalized - this time the iconic BAPS temple in Chino Hills, CA. It's just another day in a world where media and academics will insist there is no anti-Hindu hate and that #Hinduphobia is just a construct of our imagination. Not surprising this happens as the day for a so called "Khalistan referendum" in LA draws close." The post listed down other recent cases of vandalism of temples from 2022 onwards and gave a call for investigation into the matter. CoHNA is a grassroots-level advocacy organization dedicated to improving the understanding of Hinduism in North America and matters impacting the Hindu community. Cases of temple vandalism took place last year too as the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sacramento, California, was vandalised on the night of September 25. This incident occured less than 10 days after a similar incident at the BAPS Mandir in New York.
