California Hindus Alarmed as California’s SB 509 Advances In Assembly after Shutting Out All Community Inputs

California Senate Bill 509 (SB 509), intended to combat “transnational repression,” is advancing through the Assembly, sparking alarm among Hindu American groups like the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) and the Hindu American Foundation (HAF). These organizations argue the bill’s vague language could criminalize peaceful advocacy and label diaspora voices as foreign agents. Despite submitting proposed amendments to safeguard civil liberties, their input was rejected.

The bill empowers California’s Office of Emergency Services to train law enforcement on identifying transnational repression, a move critics say oversteps its mandate and risks politicizing law enforcement. CoHNA and HAF are particularly concerned given a recent rise in anti-Hindu incidents, including vandalism of four temples in California over the past 16 months. They warn that SB 509 could deepen mistrust and marginalization of Hindu and Indian American communities, and are mobilizing grassroots efforts to oppose the bill and protect civil rights.

Source:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/california-hindus-alarmed-as-californias-sb-509-advances-in-assembly-after-shutting-out-all-community-inputs-302484365.html