UC Berkeley Rejects Hindu Heritage Month Resolution
A proposal to recognize October as Hindu Heritage Month at UC Berkeley faced rejection by the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC), sparking widespread controversy and accusations of discrimination.
Resolution Details and Opposition
The resolution, intended to celebrate Hindu contributions to American society and the UC Berkeley campus, focused on achievements in science, technology, education, and the arts. It deliberately avoided any reference to Indian politics or Hindu nationalism. Despite its apolitical nature, some student senators voiced concerns that the measure could be used to legitimize Hindu nationalist ideology.
Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) Response
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) strongly condemned the vote as discriminatory, accusing the Senate of engaging in “Hinduphobia masked as caution.” They also alleged bullying behavior during the March 5 public meeting and criticized the temporary removal of the meeting video from the ASUC's Facebook page, calling it political censorship.
Concerns and Calls for Action
The rejection has reignited concerns about unequal representation of minority faiths on campus, with students pointing out that other major religions have formal representation. Hindu students and advocacy groups are now calling for transparency, reform, and equal respect for all communities on campus, regardless of political associations.
