Draft:Coalition of Hindus of North America

Swastika Education and Awareness Campaign (SEAC)

CoHNA launched the Swastika Education and Awareness Campaign (SEAC) to distinguish the Swastika, a sacred symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, from the Hakenkreuz (hooked cross) used by Nazi Germany.^[7]

In January 2026, the organization criticized a public statement by artist Kanye West. While West issued an apology for his previous antisemitic remarks, CoHNA argued that his description of the Swastika as a "destructive symbol" caused offense to religious practitioners for whom the symbol represents peace and well-being.^[8][9]

Combating Hinduphobia

CoHNA campaigns against "Hinduphobia," defined by the group as a set of antagonistic behaviors directed at Hindus.^[10]

• In 2023, the Georgia General Assembly passed a resolution condemning Hinduphobia, the first such measure in the U.S.^[11]
• In May 2025, following advocacy from CoHNA's student wing (CYAN), the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC) at UC Berkeley faced calls for Hindu Heritage Month recognition after initial setbacks.^[12]

Condemning attacks on Hindu Temples

Around 2022, there were several cases of vandalism of Hindu Temples in New York by Khalistan separatists, including the destruction of Mahatma Gandhi's statue outside Shri Tulsi Mandir in South Richmond Hill, New York, which was vandalized two times, first on August 3, 2022, and then on August 16, 2022, wherein 5-6 miscreants smashed the Gandhi statue with sledgehammers and spray painted Khalistan on the statue.^[13][14] In September 2022, a man named Sukhpal Singh was arrested and charged with a hate crime incident at the Hindu temple in Queens, New York, in which he destroyed the Gandhi statue and spray painted derogatory words.^[15]

In October 2023, there was a burglary at a Hindu mandir in Sacramento, California, with six suspects stealing a donation box from the premises, some Hindu groups alleged that the theft was motivated by religious hate.^[16] The incident, which took place at the Hari Om Radha Krishna Mandir in Sacramento, was condemned by CoHNA as a potential hate crime.^[17][18]

In January 2024, a Hindu temple in California was defaced with pro Khalistan graffiti.^[19]

California and the SB403 Bill

In 2023, CoHNA led a coalition of organizations opposing California's SB 403, which sought to explicitly ban caste-based discrimination. The organization argued the bill was "facially discriminatory" against South Asians.^[20] During a local hearing in Cupertino related to the debate, prominent Dalit activist Milind Makwana, who supported CoHNA's position, passed away after delivering a speech, an event that became a flashpoint in the community discussion.^[21] Governor Gavin Newsom eventually vetoed the bill in October 2023.^[22]

Temple Security and Civil Rights

The organization monitors and reports on vandalism targeting Hindu temples. In 2022, CoHNA highlighted the destruction of Mahatma Gandhi statues at the Shri Tulsi Mandir in Queens, New York, which resulted in hate crime charges against the perpetrator.^[23] They also called for investigations into temple burglaries in Sacramento, citing potential religious bias.^[24]