CoHNA, a Hindu advocacy group in the US, also welcomed this move.
New York:
The US state of Georgia has officially declared October Hindu Heritage Month to recognize the contributions of the vibrant Hindu American community in the state.
In a proclamation, Governor Brian Kemp declared October ‘Hindu Heritage’ month. It was said that the Hindu heritage will be celebrated by focusing on the culture and diverse spiritual traditions rooted in India.
“The vibrant Hindu-American community has contributed immensely to the vitality of the state of Georgia by enriching the lives of its citizens,” the Aug. 23 proclamation read.
CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America), a Hindu advocacy group in the US, also welcomed this move and thanked Governor Kemp for recognizing the Hindu community as an important contributor to diverse sectors.
“This was made possible through the tireless dedication of our friends at the Hindus of Georgia PAC. Hinduism has made a great contribution to America’s cultural milieu,” the Hindu group said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
#BREAK: Georgia declares October Hindu Heritage Month. Our thanks to Governor @BrianKempGA for this recognition. This was made possible through the tireless dedication of our friends at the Hindus of Georgia PAC. Hinduism has made a great contribution to the cultural milieu of… pic.twitter.com/Rh18yYqGII
— CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) (@CoHNAOfficial) August 30, 2023
Earlier this year, the Georgia Assembly passed a resolution condemning Hindu phobia, making it the first US state to enact such a legislative measure.
The resolution condemned Hindu phobia and anti-Hindu bigotry and noted the contributions of the Hindu community to yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, food, music and the arts in enriching the cultural fabric of American society and improving lives of millions of people.
While CoHna acknowledged Georgia’s recognition, it expressed dissatisfaction with the anti-caste discrimination law passed by the California State Assembly this week.
“It is gratifying to see Georgia recognize the contribution of Hindu Americans and Hinduism as California targets us with #SB403,” CoHNA wrote on X.
The bill passed by the California Assembly aims to combat caste discrimination and strengthen protections for marginalized communities across the state.
According to the Hindu American Foundation, Hindu Heritage Month (HHM) is a global movement that highlights Hinduism as a tradition and its contributions to human society.
October is important as it is the birth month of Mahatma Gandhi and important Hindu holidays such as Navaratri and Diwali are often celebrated.
While Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world, with one billion devotees around the world, about three million live in the United States.
