Georgia Targets Anti-Hindu Hate with New Bill Recognizing Hinduphobia

In a historic move, the state of Georgia has become the first in the United States to introduce a bill recognizing Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu discrimination. The bill, titled Senate Bill 375 (SB 375), was formally introduced in the Georgia General Assembly on April 4, 2025, and represents a significant milestone in addressing religious bias and promoting diversity in American civil life. If passed into law, this bill will update the Georgia penal code, allowing law enforcement agencies across the state to explicitly consider Hinduphobia when cataloguing acts of discrimination or hate. This legislation reflects growing concern over religiously motivated hate crimes against the Hindu community and a rising need to protect minority faiths in an increasingly diverse United States. What makes this bill particularly notable is its bipartisan sponsorship. Introduced by Republican State Senators Shawn Still and Clint Dixon, and co-sponsored by Democratic Senators Jason Esteves and Emanuel Jones, SB 375 reflects a unified effort to combat religious intolerance. State Senator Shawn Still, one of the primary sponsors, stated, “Over the past few years, we have seen a marked increase in hate crimes against Hindus across the country.” His comments highlight a growing recognition within American political circles of the challenges faced by the Hindu community, both in Georgia and nationwide.

If enacted, this legal definition would empower state and local law enforcement agencies to take Hinduphobia into account when investigating and prosecuting hate crimes and discrimination cases.

It would also aid in the proper categorization and tracking of incidents involving anti-Hindu sentiment, thereby offering clearer data and support for future policy and law enforcement strategies. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), a leading advocacy group, expressed strong support for the bill. In an official statement, CoHNA said: “We are proud to work closely with Senator Shawn Still on this important bill… SB 375 builds upon the important work that we started in April 2023.” In April 2023, Georgia had already passed a non-binding resolution condemning Hinduphobia. That resolution acknowledged the deep historical and spiritual roots of Hinduism, recognizing it as one of the oldest and largest religions in the world, with a strong commitment to peace, acceptance, and mutual respect.

While Hinduism promotes pluralism and tolerance, recent years have seen a troubling increase in anti-Hindu incidents in the United States. According to data from the Hinduphobia Tracker run by the Gavishti Foundation, over 1,300 hate crimes targeting Hindus have been reported in the US since January 1, 2023. At a 2024 national meeting of Hindu-American leaders and organizations, Democratic Congressman Shri Thanedar voiced his alarm at the rising wave of Hinduphobia. He stressed the need to take urgent steps to combat hate crimes against the Hindu community.

Georgia’s Hindu Community: A Vital Demographic

The state of Georgia is home to a significant Hindu population, estimated at over 40,000, primarily concentrated in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Many of these individuals trace their roots to western India, especially Gujarat. Nationally, Hindus make up approximately 0.9% of the US population, which translates to about 2.5 million people, according to the 2023–24 Pew Research Center Religious Landscape Study. Despite being a relatively small minority, the Hindu-American community has played a vital role in the US, particularly in sectors such as medicine, engineering, business, academia, and public service. Yet, the growing community has increasingly found itself the target of religious hate. If Georgia passes SB 375 into law, it could set a precedent for other US states to follow. Much like earlier efforts to recognize anti-Semitism or Islamophobia, the formal acknowledgement of Hinduphobia would represent a new chapter in America’s approach to religious tolerance.

Other states with large Hindu populations—such as California, New Jersey, Texas, and New York—may feel encouraged to explore similar legislation, especially as community leaders continue to raise awareness about rising hate crimes.