Amongst the rising cases of gruesome Anti-Asian violence in the US, something that has yet to be addressed is the subtle Hinduphobia whichcontinues to be a major source of tension for Indian-Americans.

The New Jersey State Assembly is considering AB1749, a bill that would amend a state statute that criminalizes display of symbols, objects, or graffiti exposing another to threats of violence to specifically include swastikas.

A bill has ALSO been introduced by the House of Delegates in the US state of Maryland, depicting swastikas as a sign of 'hatred'. The bill calls for banning the use of swastikas in clothes, books, schools, and similar places.

This bill by the Maryland House of Delegates to pass House Bill 0418 has irked the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), which argues that the poorly written bill could negatively affect Hindus, "or worse, our homes and religious sites could become targets."

It is completely wrong to compare Swastik to the Nazis because unlike the hooked cross of the Nazis, the Swastik symbolizes peace, prosperity and opulence.

The HAF has expressed fears that racist conditions may arise within the US against Hindus and that after coming into existence of this bill, Hindus living in America will neither be able to follow their religion freely nor will it be passed on to their generations.

“Swastika is an ancient and greatly auspicious symbol of the Hindu tradition. It is inscribed on Hindu temples, ritual altars, entrances, and even account books. A distorted version of this sacred symbol was misappropriated by the Third Reich in Germany, and abused as an emblem under which heinous crimes were perpetrated against humanity, particularly the Jewish people,” HAF quoted the declaration as saying.

A ban on yoga in Alabama public schools is also expected to stay a little longer as conservative groups raised objections to a bill that would have reversed the current restrictions.

The bill seeking removal of ban on yoga did not advance in the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee and it will continue for a while.