New york state assembly - Latest News Update, Information, Photos & Videos on New york state assembly at Lokmat Times

The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), a US-based advocacy group, has welcomed New York State Assembly's decision to reconsider a bill that would require schools to teach the Swastika as a symbol of hatred and intolerance in the school curriculum.The decision comes in the backdrop of public outrage around the Bill and a lack of consideration of the impact on Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Native Americans, and other traditions who consider the Swastika a symbol of good fortune, peace, and prosperity."We have always been clear that we support the spirit of the Bill - to educate students on issues regarding bigotry, racism and hatred," remarked Nikunj Trivedi, president of CoHNA."Our concerns stemmed from the fact that the Bill included the Swastika as a symbol of hate without a dialogue with those who hold this ancient symbol in high regard," Trivedi further said.Declaring the Swastika as a symbol of hate would perpetuate misinformation and attacks against many Americans of diverse religious backgrounds. Thus, efforts to fostering a more inclusive and tolerant society for all must take into account the context in which the Swastika is used by these religious communities.A Change.org petition started by CoHNA gathered over 7,000 signatures (from Hindus and non-Hindus, including Jews). The orgzation engaged with Hindu, Jewish and other religious communities to mobilize favourable public opinion on this issue and to ensure that the Hindu community's concerns are taken into consideration.Remarking on the campaign, Board Member Suresh Krishnamoorthy said, "We recognize the intergenerational trauma of the Jewish community caused by the Nazis. We also recognize that the Nazi symbol is a painful reminder of genocide, death and suffering."Hence, any effort to promote such ideologies of hatred should be universally condemned and outlawed.Indeed, it is well known that Hitler's symbol ("Hakenkreuz" or the Hooked Cross) had nothing to do with the Swastika and the two have been conflated due to misuse and misappropriation. It is also important to note that the vital nuances in this conversation have been recognized by Hindu and Jewish leaders.CoHNA has reached out to the offices of the Assembly Education Committee Chair as well as other Assembly members and senators to offer help in rewording Bill's language in consultation with Jewish, Native American and African American groups.CoHNA will lend support to any effort that seeks to ensure that classroom discussions around the Swastika happen within a just educational framework. It applauds the effort to teach the significance of hateful symbols but asks that it be taught in the proper historical context.( With inputs from ANI )

Home

City

Latest News

Cricket

LT Premium

National

International

Maharashtra

Opinions

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Nagpur

Entertainment

Photos

Business

Technology

Sports

Lifestyle

Social Viral

Lokmat Games

Health

Narendra Modi

Lok Sabha Election 2024

Heatwave In India

Mumbai Water Cut

Maharashtra Lok Sabha Election

IPL 2024

New York State AssemblyFOLLOW

New york state assembly, Latest News

International :Diwali to become school holiday in New York City

New York [US], June 27 : Diwali, the festival of lights, is set to become a school holiday in ... ...

Politics :NY State Assembly to pass legislation to observe Diwali as federal holiday

New York, May 25 The New York State Assembly hopes to pass a legislation to observe Diwali and ... ...

International :Cuomo's lawyers say harassment charges plot to remove him, ask for case transcripts

Lawyers for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said there was a plot to drive him from office with unverified accusations of sexual harassment and called for transcripts of witness interviews in the case to be released so that the facts could be fully de ...

International :New York senate majority leader calls for resignation of Governor Andrew Cuomo who faces sexual harassment case

New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins has called for the resignation of Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment. ...

International :US-based advocacy group welcomes New York State Assembly decision to reconsider bill for Swastika

The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), a US-based advocacy group, has welcomed New York State Assembly's decision to reconsider a bill that would require schools to teach the Swastika as a symbol of hatred and intolerance in the school cur ...