Hinduphobia Bill: Georgia Becomes First U.S. State to Introduce Legislation Against Anti-Hindu Discrimination

The bill has received bipartisan support from members of both the Republican and Democratic parties, marking a significant step forward for the Hindu-American community, which has long advocated for stronger protections against religious bias.

What is the SB 375 Bill?

The proposed SB 375 legislation aims to amend the Georgia Penal Code to formally define and recognize Hinduphobia, or anti-Hindu hatred, as a punishable offense. If passed, this bill will:

• Allow anti-Hindu hate crimes to be prosecuted under state law

• Include Hinduphobia as a protected category under discrimination statutes

• Strengthen the ability of law enforcement to take action against perpetrators of Hindu-targeted hate crimes

Significance of the Bill for the Hindu Community

The bill is being hailed as a historic step by Hindu advocacy organizations across the U.S. With an estimated 2.5 million Hindus—about 0.9% of the U.S. population—the Hindu community has increasingly raised concerns over hate speech, bias incidents, and religious profiling.

“This bill sends a powerful message that Hinduphobia has no place in our society and that Hindus deserve the same legal protections as any other faith group,” said a spokesperson from a U.S.-based Hindu civil rights organization.

Controversy Over Similar Legislation in California

While Georgia moves forward with SB 375, Hindu organizations have voiced opposition to a separate bill, SB 509, introduced in California. Critics argue that SB 509, which aims to address caste discrimination, could misrepresent Hindu religious practices and foster further bias against the community.

Next Steps

SB 375 is expected to be debated in the Georgia State Senate in the coming weeks. If passed, it would mark a first-of-its-kind legal recognition of Hinduphobia in the United States and could potentially pave the way for similar legislation in other states.