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CoHNA's Inaugural Hindu Youth Advocacy Conference: A Step Toward Empowerment

On October 10, 2026, diverse Hindu youth and community leaders congregated at the Embassy Suites in Piscataway, New Jersey, during the National Hindu Youth Conference organized by the CoHNA Youth Action Network (CYAN). This event served as a pivotal gathering aimed at fostering advocacy, education, and community engagement among young Hindus.

The day was characterized by impactful workshops that centered around prevalent misconceptions about Hinduism, navigating public policy issues, and confronting Hinduphobia, particularly within college environments. These interactive sessions not only provided attendees with knowledge but also practical skills that would aid them in advocating for themselves and their communities.

Creating Advocacy and Community
Dhyey Ray, the executive director of CYAN, emphasized the vision behind the conference, stating, "We wanted attendees to leave with more than just an awareness of issues. The goal was to equip young Hindus with practical tools for advocacy and to create a space for networking with peers who have similar concerns." The variety of networking activities enabled participants to meet fellow youth, share personal experiences, and engage in meaningful dialogue concerning challenges they face at school and in their communities.

U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam joined the conference virtually to share insights into his journey in public service while stressing the significance of confidence in one’s identity. He encouraged young attendees to embrace their Hindu heritage and to become active participants in public life instead of downplaying their identities.

The keynote address was delivered by Shawn Binda, a prominent global Hindu educator and creator of Hindu Lifestyle, who challenged the participants with the question, "Why are you Hindu?" Binda inspire the attendees to advocate not just in reaction to external criticisms, but to foster a deeper connection with their Hindu identity rooted in knowledge, emotional connection, and community.

Workshops and Interactive Learning
The conference offered broad discussions encapsulating Hindu identity and advocacy, backed by expert sessions and student-led initiatives. Prasiddha Sudhakar, a youth advocate and NCRI analyst, highlighted the significance of recognizing and documenting discrimination, explaining that “You can't fight what you can't name.” This interactive segment engaged participants in assessing how they might respond to scenarios of bias and misrepresentation.

Likewise, Rutgers students Riya Patel and Nikhil Gill facilitated discussions on the experiences related to religious misrepresentation within academic settings, encouraging participants to reflect on the emotional repercussions of Hinduphobic statements encountered at their universities.

Several sessions were dedicated to dismantling common misconceptions about Hinduism. CoHNA president Nikunj Trivedi, along with Shawn Binda, presented essential Hindu beliefs and practices, equipping young Hindus to engage confidently in difficult conversations.

Moreover, CYAN leaders provided insights into the mechanisms of advocacy and public policy. Participants learned various strategies for instigating change, such as evidence-building, coalition-forming, and engaging directly with policymakers. Ayushi Sharma, a student from Rutgers, encapsulated the day's ethos succinctly, stating, "Advocacy feels much more achievable when you know the steps to take, even on a small scale."

In practical exercises, attendees modeled scenarios depicting misrepresentation of Hinduism and learned how to address these inaccuracies effectively. Anika Ajgaonkar, a Rutgers student involved in organizing the event, expressed her belief in the power of collective advocacy efforts, remarking how empowering it was to connect with like-minded individuals.

Closing Remarks and Future Engagement
The formal programming concluded with a call for continued engagement. Emcees Riya Patel and Nikhil Gill encouraged participants to maintain the connections they had made and to immerse themselves in ongoing advocacy activities via CYAN.

Shyam Kumar, founder and president of the Rutgers CYAN chapter, articulated the significance of the event, mentioning, "This conference marks CYAN's growing commitment to facilitate Hindu youth in transitioning from awareness to active engagement while forming alliances with those advocating for similar issues."

About CoHNA and CYAN
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) operates as a grassroots advocacy organization focused on educating the public about Hindu heritage and practices while addressing issues affecting the Hindu community. Their youth wing, the CoHNA Youth Action Network, explicitly aims to empower young Hindus to engage in advocacy and community projects. For further details, visit CoHNA or CYAN.