Thread by @CoHNAOfficial

Shree Umiya Dham Hindu Temple in Edison, NJ vandalized with “Free Palestine” graffiti. CoHNA strongly condemns this & stands with the temple in demanding that the perpetrators be brought to swift justice! Happened yesterday, when…1/n

…the Indian American community held a "March for Unity" event with several organizations participating. Unfortunately, in this peaceful event, bigots and racists like Pieter Friedrich intruded, trying to paint the community as extremist and intolerant. 2/n

But, why “Free Palestine” on a Hindu temple? #Hinduphobic narrative peddled by “academics” portrays Hindus as “colonizers” of Kashmir and draws false parallels with Palestine. The recent bulldozer controversy in Edison, NJ also provides fodder to push hatred against Hindus. 3/n

Classroom teachings about Kashmir at @RutgersU show blatant bias against Hindus & India, calling the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir as “occupied.” This is particularly insensitive given the ethnic cleansing of the indigenous Kashmiri Hindus in 1989-90 and continued violence.4/n

This, in turn, breeds hatred towards American Hindus, who are projected as “Hindu nationalists” or agents of a foreign government. 5/n

Shree Umiya Dham temple was also one of over 50 orgs who signed a coalition letter against @DemsTeaneck’s #Hinduphobic & hate filled resolution. We fear the vandalism incident may be potentially linked to such anti-Hindu propaganda in NJ and academia. 6/n
vskbharat.com/new-jersey-hin…

As the #Hinduphobia study by @ncri_io warned, online hatred can lead to real life consequences of violence and bigotry. Vandalism of a sacred place of worship in such a manner reflects the patterns that emerges from this groundbreaking study. 7/n rutgers.edu/news/rutgers-r…

Over the past few months, there’s been a sharp rise in anti-Hindu disinformation as well as attacks on #Hindu individuals, #temples and organizations. This latest act of vandalism adds to the growing concerns of the Hindu community in NJ and beyond. 8/n
religionnews.com/2022/08/26/rec…