Surge in Crime: In a united effort, five Indian-American lawmakers have urged the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI to provide a briefing regarding the alarming surge in hate crimes targeting Hindus and the vandalism of temples across the nation this year.
The lawmakers, including Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, Shri Thanedar, Pramila Jayapal, and Ami Bera, expressed deep concern over the escalating attacks, emphasizing the heightened anxiety among Hindu Americans.
Surge in Crime…
They emphasized the lack of leads on suspects, leaving communities in fear and intimidation. The letter addressed to Kristen Clarke of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division highlighted the urgent need for federal oversight to ensure equal protection under the law.
Notably, this collaborative initiative marks a rare occasion where all five Indian-American representatives have joined forces on an issue of national significance.
The lawmakers stressed the need for coordinated efforts to combat hate crimes targeting religious, ethnic, racial, and cultural minorities in the country. They requested a briefing on the DOJ’s strategy concerning hate crimes against Hindus and the status of investigations into temple vandalism incidents.
The urgency of the matter prompted them to set a deadline for the briefing by April 18th. Indian-American leaders have welcomed this move, acknowledging the pressing need for action amid a concerning spike in temple vandalism and thefts.
Khanderao Kand, chief of policy and strategy at the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), expressed gratitude for the lawmakers’ efforts in urging the FBI and DOJ to investigate these incidents.
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