[Your Elected Official]

On behalf of more than 4 million American Hindus, representing diverse ethnic and national origins, I urge you to co-sponsor H. Res. 1131 - Celebrating Hindu Americans, and condemning attacks on Hindu places of worship, Hinduphobia, and anti-Hindu bigotry.
(https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/1131/text)

Hindu traditions and practices have greatly enriched the United States of America, especially with Vedanta philosophy and literature, natural medicine known as Ayurveda, as well as fine arts, dance, music, and fashion, along with spiritual practices of Meditation, Yoga, and community service. Hindus continue to make immense contributions in the field of medicine, science and technology, with leadership roles in flagship companies across the country.

However, over the past decade, there have been many documented instances of premeditated anti-Hindu hate crimes in many parts of the country.
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2022/08/29/hindu-gandhi-taco-bell-punjab/)

One out of three American Hindu students reported that they have been bullied in school for their religious beliefs according to the Hindu American Foundation's 2015 study on bullying and bias against Hindu students.
(https://www.hinduamerican.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/HAFN_16_008-BullyingReport_final_RGB_r2.pdf)

In July 2022, a report released by Rutgers University titled "Anti-Hindu Disinformation: A Case Study of Hinduphobia on Social Media," detailed how hate messages on social media translate into real life threats for people of the Hindu faith. 
(https://millercenter.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Hinduphobia-NC-Labs_6.22.22.pdf)

Two attacks occurred in August 2022, when anti-Hindu activists twice broke into the grounds of a Hindu temple in Richmond Hill, New York and repeatedly took a sledgehammer to a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, while shouting anti-Hindu slogans.
(https://abc7ny.com/hindu-temple-vandalized-gandhi-statue-spray-painted/12141811/) 

Between December 2023 and January 2024, six Hindu temples were attacked and desecrated in California.
(https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/6-hindutemples-vandalised-in-california-us-ritesh-tandon-aisha-wahab-2491957-2024-01-22)

Key Points of H. Res. 1131 include:

• Celebrating the historical and ongoing contributions of Hindu Americans in various fields.
• Recognizing the vibrant Hindu festivals such as Diwali and Holi that enrich American cultural diversity.
• Condemning the rise in hate crimes and discrimination against Hindus and their places of worship.
• Promoting the values of acceptance and mutual respect inspired by Hindu teachings, which were instrumental to leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As your constituent, I strongly believe that your co-sponsorship of this important Resolution will strengthen this great nation of ours and the values that we all stand for.