California Hindus Express Concerns Over SB 509 Legislation Advances

California Hindus Alarmed as Senate Bill 509 Advances



The California legislature is currently facing backlash from the Hindu community as the controversial Senate Bill 509 (SB 509) moves swiftly through the Assembly. This legislation, intended to address the issue of "transnational repression," is seen by many as a direct threat to the safety and civil liberties of minority groups, particularly Hindus and Indian Americans. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) and the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) have raised serious concerns about the implications of this bill, which they believe could unjustly criminalize peaceful advocacy efforts.

Despite attempts to engage with the bill's authors, the concerns of the Hindu community have been disregarded. CoHNA and HAF previously suggested a series of straightforward amendments aimed at protecting the civil rights of their community, all of which were rejected. The bill passed the Senate with little acknowledgment of these proposed changes, causing alarm among community leaders who feel that their voices have been silenced.

The amendments suggested were not only logical but necessary, aiming to ensure that civil liberties are respected. However, Senators Anna Caballero and Assembly Members Jasmeet Bains and Esmeralda Soria have pushed forward without adequate dialogue, continuing to double down on legislation that could misinterpret peaceful advocacy as foreign interference. This poses a serious risk for innocent Hindu Californians, who may face undue scrutiny and profiling as a result.

These legislative movements come at a troubling time as incidents against Hindu temples in California increase, with four temples reported vandalized in the last 16 months under the cloak of anti-India activism. Local lawmakers have not adequately addressed this rising trend of violence, instead, they are focusing on legislative measures like SB 509 that potentially discriminate against certain communities by employing vague definitions of what "transnational repression" entails and who gets to define it.

Sudha Jagannathan, a board member of CoHNA, expressed her disappointment over the legislative process. She stated, "The Hindu community approached this legislative process in good faith, believing lawmakers would prefer to make a law respectful of the diversity of California's communities. It is deeply troubling to see our concerns repeatedly dismissed."

Support for this view comes from Samir Kalra, managing director of HAF and a Civil Rights Attorney, who emphasized that SB 509 fails to include essential safeguards against the politicization of trainings related to transnational repression. He added, "Under the pretext of protecting dissent, SB 509 could enable law enforcement to prosecute diaspora groups and community organizations simply for advocating against terrorism and extremism, labeling them as foreign 'agents.'"

The implications of this bill are magnified by the role of the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), which seeks to train law enforcement on so-called 'patterns of behavior' linked to transnational repression. Typically tasked with responding to natural disasters and emergencies, Cal OES lacks the constitutional authority and expertise to handle matters of foreign policy and national security, potentially perpetuating biased profiling of legitimate advocacy efforts.

In response to these challenges, CoHNA, alongside HAF, plans to launch community webinars and advocacy campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the dangers posed by SB 509. Their initiative includes mobilizing community members to reach out to Assembly Members, voicing their concerns, and advocating for the protection of constitutional rights and civil liberties for all Californians.

CoHNA encourages Hindus in California to actively engage in this important issue, urging them to register their opposition to SB 509 and highlight their commitment to safeguarding the community's rights against legislative overreach. As this critical situation unfolds, the Hindu community's voice remains vital in the effort to ensure that justice and equality prevail in California's legislative process.

About CoHNA


CoHNA is a grassroots advocacy organization focused on improving the understanding of Hinduism in North America. They work to address matters related to the Hindu community and to educate the public regarding Hindu heritage and traditions. To learn more, visit cohna.org or follow them on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Topics Policy & Public Interest)

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