Thanedar forms Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain Congressional caucus
Indian American Congressman Shri Thanedar, who represents Michigan’s 13th Congressional district in the US House, has announced the launch of the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain (HBSJ) American congressional caucus.
Besides Thanedar, who is the founder and chair, the new caucus is joined by 23 other members of the US Congress, according to a press release from Thanedar’s office.
The caucus will provide a platform for fostering dialogue, promoting understanding, and raising awareness about the specific needs and concerns of these communities
It aims to address issues around combating religious discrimination and promoting religious freedom for Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains and ensuring accurate representation and inclusion of Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain perspectives in policy discussions.
Addressing cultural misunderstandings and promoting interfaith dialogue and harmony and supporting initiatives to promote Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain Americans’ well-being, education, and empowerment are the other goals of the newly-formed caucus.
Indian American lawmakers’ Samosa Caucus set to get bigger (November 2, 2020)
A US congressional caucus is a group of members of the United States Congress that meet to pursue common legislative objectives.
Thanedar, who became the newest entrant to the ‘Samosa caucus’ of Indian American representatives in the US Congress in 2023, after his election from Michigan, said that he believes “that an inclusive America is a stronger America.”
Earlier, in June this year, at the first-ever Hindu American summit, Thanedar had announced plans to form a Hindu caucus in the US Congress to bring like-minded lawmakers under one umbrella to ensure that there is no hate and bigotry against Hindus in America.
“It is important that every person has a right to choose a religion, pray (to) a God that he or she chooses without persecution, without discrimination, without hate or for those who may choose not to pray to a God,” he then said.
“These are freedoms that are fundamental. These are fundamental human rights,” Thanedar said asserting the new caucus is not against anybody or any religion.
“This caucus believes in religious freedom. This caucus is about freedom. This caucus is about fairness. This caucus is about helping people to live their life the way they want to live,” he said.
“This caucus is about helping people pray (to) the God they choose to pray. This caucus is about letting people be free and live without hate and bigotry,” he added.
