Thanedar on Friday formally launched in the US Congress the caucus that goals to fight non secular discrimination and promote spiritual freedom.
Washington, Sep 30 Over two dozen US lawmakers have joined the bipartisan Congressional Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain American Caucus, its founder and Indian American Congressman Shri Thanedar has said.
Thanedar on Friday formally launched in the US Congress the caucus that pursuits to fight non secular discrimination and promote non secular freedom for Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains.
A congressional caucus is a team of participants of the United States Congress that meet to pursue frequent legislative objectives.
“We are no longer only congregating to provoke every other caucus; we’re assembling to pioneer a movement—one that strives for understanding, inclusion, and affirmative coverage actions,” Thanedar informed newshounds at a information convention here.
“A motion that says each faith, each culture, and each and every neighborhood has a region in America— the land of the free and the domestic of the brave. My title is Shri Thanedar. I am proof of America’s variety in Congress,” he said.
He was once flanked by way of a crew of eminent Indian Americans who had gathered at the steps of the US Capitol from throughout the country.
“Today is sizable for severa reasons. To many of you, the launch of the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain (HBSJ) American Congressional Caucus might also appear like a formal procedure, however let me assure you, it is so a good deal more,” he said.
It is a declaration of commitment. A dedication to stand in opposition to non secular discrimination, to propel the wheels of inclusion, and to domesticate a kingdom the place variety is now not simply tolerated however celebrated, Thanedar said.
“This caucus will create a platform to have the discourse, have interaction in action, dispel the misinformation and disinformation of our tradition and society, to specific spiritual freedom, defend our existence, and communicate the reality about who we are by way of pushing returned on hate and bigotry,” he said.
Thanedar cited that as many as 27 Congressmen from each the Republican and the Democratic events have joined the ultra-modern caucuses of the US Congress.
“To illustrate the pressing want for this caucus, it is essential to put some numbers into context. We are now not speakme about summary communities or conceptual problems. These are actual problems affecting actual people—our friends, our neighbours, and our constituents,” he said.
Approximately three million Hindus, 1.2 million Buddhists, 500,000 Sikhs, and 200,000 Jains enrich our nation’s cultural and non secular life, he said.
About 1,000 Hindu temples, 1,000 Buddhist temples, 800 Sikh gurdwaras, and a hundred Jain temples are spread throughout America, performing as facilities for neighborhood development, philanthropy, and non secular well-being, Thanedar said.
“So, when we communicate about these communities, we are speakme about a extensive element of our nation’s populace—a section that contributes substantially to the American cloth but frequently stays underrepresented or misunderstood,” he said.