Five Indian-origin Congressional Representatives wrote a letter asking the Department of Justice for a briefing on the status of investigations on a recent spate of hate incidents against houses of worship across the U.S. The five lawmakers, included Raja Krishnamoorthi, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Shri Thanedar, and Ami Bera.

The letter to Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division called out ‘an alarming increase in vandalism at houses of worship across the country including at Hindu mandirs (temples)’.

The lawmakers requested a briefing to better understand existing law enforcement coordination between the FBI, local agencies. and the Civil Rights Division.

They drew attention to the increasing anxiety among Hindu Americans following the attacks. Community leaders have expressed concerns that no leads have emerged following several of these attacks, a situation that contributes to fear and uncertainty among Indian -Americans. The lawmakers stated that the community was ‘left wondering if there was appropriate federal oversight to ensure equal protection under the law.’ They voiced questions about law enforcement coordination around the intimidating, bias-related crimes.

The letter added, “We must work collaboratively to combat hate crime against all religious, ethnic, racial, and cultural minorities in America.”

Between November to January 2024, there were 6 or more attacks just in the Bay Area, California. In 2022 alone, several attacks were reported at Hindu temples in New York and elsewhere.

The lack of action against perpetrators who have defiled sacred spaces further marginalizes ethnic minorities in the U.S., undermining the meaning of freedom of religion, say advocates. These incidents remain underreported because victims are scared to log hate crimes to local law enforcement whom they mistrust, especially when perpetrators are not held accountable.

National media in the U.S. tend to ignore or downplay the issue.

Pushpita Prasad, of the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) said, “We are glad to see some much overdue attention to the issue of repeated and frighteningly frequent attacks on Hindu Temples in the U.S.”

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