130 Hindu Americans Rally on Capitol Hill for Religious Freedom as US Turns 250
More than 130 Hindu Americans from 15 states gathered on Capitol Hill this week for the fifth annual Hindu Advocacy Day, an event that combined celebrations of the United States' 250th anniversary with discussions on religious freedom and concerns over what organisers described as a rise in anti-Hindu sentiment.
Hosted by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), the event brought together lawmakers, community leaders, students, veterans, researchers and interfaith representatives for a day of dialogue. According to organisers, seven members of Congress and 12 congressional staffers from both Republican and Democratic offices participated.
Before the formal event, Hindu delegates held more than 50 meetings with Senate and House staff and visited over 120 congressional offices to discuss issues affecting Hindu Americans and strengthen engagement with elected representatives.
CoHNA President Nikunj Trivedi said the gathering reflected both the diversity of the Hindu American community and its commitment to civic engagement. “It was a powerful day on Capitol Hill. We came together as Americans, sharing stories, building relationships and singing the national anthem,” he said. Trivedi added that the anniversary of America's founding offered an opportunity to celebrate shared democratic values while engaging lawmakers.
The event featured testimonies from community members across generations and professions. Representatives from Armenian and Jewish organisations joined, along with a city council member from Maple Grove, Minnesota, underscoring broad interfaith support.
A youth panel organised by CoHNA's Youth Action Network (CYAN) highlighted student-led advocacy at Rutgers University. Panelists recounted efforts to push for greater representation of Hindu perspectives on campus, respond to what they viewed as Hinduphobic incidents, and engage university administrators—leading to an academic conference focused on Hinduism.
Young speakers also explored historical connections between Hindu philosophy and early American thinkers, while sharing personal reflections on balancing religious identity with civic participation.
Military veteran Ruchir Bakshi described how his service in Afghanistan and Iraq was shaped by teachings from the Bhagavad Gita, which he said emphasised discipline, integrity and selfless service.
Several lawmakers from both parties used the occasion to condemn attacks targeting Hindu temples and express support for religious freedom. Representative Buddy Carter, a Georgia Republican, described freedom of religion as a foundational right and criticised temple vandalism. Democratic Representative Shri Thanedar of Michigan highlighted immigrant communities' contributions and encouraged Hindu Americans to seek recognition for their achievements. Democratic Representative Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia urged Hindu students and professionals to speak out against discrimination and embrace their identity with confidence.
