Hindu groups oppose Virginia bill over Swastika misrepresentation
By Dr. Avi Verma
A coalition of Hindu organizations, including American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD), HinduPACT, and the Hindu Mandir Empowerment Council (HMEC), is strongly opposing Virginia House Bill 2783 (HB2783), arguing that it could wrongfully criminalize the religious use of the sacred Hindu Swastika.
HB2783, introduced in the Virginia General Assembly, aims to ban the public display of certain symbols associated with intimidation and hate crimes. However, Hindu groups argue that the bill fails to distinguish between the Swastika, a symbol of peace and auspiciousness in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and the Nazi Hakenkreuz (hooked cross), which was appropriated as a symbol of hate by Adolf Hitler.
Concerns over religious freedom
Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain communities worry that HB2783’s broad language could lead to legal action against people displaying the Swastika for religious or cultural purposes. The Swastika has been a sacred symbol for over 5,000 years, appearing in temples, homes, festivals, and religious texts across Asia.
In a letter to Virginia legislators, the Hindu groups outlined key distinctions between the Swastika and the Nazi Hakenkreuz:
- The Hindu/Buddhist/Jain Swastika is a symmetrical symbol representing peace, well-being, and good fortune. It is commonly found in temples and religious ceremonies.
- The Nazi Hakenkreuz is a rotated, tilted emblem used to promote anti-Semitic ideology and white supremacy.
Hindu leaders argue that equating the two symbols is historically inaccurate and culturally insensitive.
Legal and social implications
Opponents of the bill warn that HB2783 could lead to unintended consequences, including:
- Criminalizing Religious Practices – Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains may face legal scrutiny for displaying their sacred symbol in temples, homes, and community events.
- Increased Hate Crimes – Misrepresenting the Swastika could fuel anti-Hindu, anti-Buddhist, and anti-Jain sentiment, potentially leading to more discrimination.
- Legal Ambiguities – Devotees displaying the Swastika for religious purposes may be wrongly accused of promoting hate speech.
Ajay Shah, Founder of AHAD and HinduPACT, emphasized the need for clarity in legislation:
“For over two decades, we have worked to correct the misconception of the Swastika in the West. HB2783 does a great disservice by legislating ignorance instead of promoting education. Criminalizing our sacred symbol will marginalize our communities.”
Tejal Shah, President of the World Hindu Council of America (VHPA), representing over 1,000 Hindu temples in the U.S., added:
“This bill, as written, risks criminalizing our way of worship. Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain communities should not have to fight for their right to display a religious symbol that predates the Nazi era by thousands of years.”
Efforts to amend the bill
Hindu groups are urging Virginia lawmakers to revise the bill by:
- Explicitly distinguishing between the Hindu/Buddhist/Jain Swastika and the Nazi Hakenkreuz.
- Ensuring religious protections so that the Swastika is not misclassified as a hate symbol.
- Promoting education about the Swastika’s sacred significance rather than enacting criminal penalties.
- Consulting religious communities before passing legislation that affects their practices.
Similar efforts in other states
The debate over the Swastika’s misrepresentation has been a topic of discussion in multiple states:
- California (2022) passed a law explicitly recognizing the Hindu Swastika as distinct from the Nazi emblem.
- New York incorporated educational programs to teach students the historical differences between the two symbols.
- Jewish advocacy groups, including the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), have supported education-based approaches rather than outright bans.
Next steps in Virginia
As HB2783 moves through the Virginia legislature, Hindu leaders are engaging with lawmakers to ensure that religious rights are protected. While HinduPACT, AHAD, and HMEC support efforts to combat hate speech, they believe that banning a sacred religious symbol without distinction is not the solution.
With growing concern among Virginia’s Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain communities, the outcome of the bill could have broader implications for religious freedom nationwide.
