Hindu youth gathered in Piscataway, New Jersey, on October 10 for the National Hindu Youth Conference, which focused on civic participation, religious identity and ways to address anti-Hindu bias, according to a press statement from the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA).
Organized by the CoHNA Youth Action Network (CYAN), the organization’s youth wing, the conference at Embassy Suites brought together young people, community leaders, advocates and speakers. Workshops explored misconceptions about Hinduism, public policy and discrimination on college campuses, while networking sessions allowed participants to share experiences from their schools and communities.
“We wanted attendees to leave with more than just an awareness of the issues,” said Dhyey Ray, executive director of CYAN, who helped organize the conference. “The goal was to give young Hindus practical tools to advocate for themselves and their communities, while also creating a space where they could meet others who care about the same issues.”
U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.), who participated virtually, discussed his path into public service, Hindu American representation and the importance of maintaining confidence in one’s identity.
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“I’m proud to be Hindu. I’m proud of being an American,” Subramanyam told attendees.
According to the statement, he recalled being asked to downplay his Hindu background and change his name when he first ran for office. He encouraged young people to “embrace it” when discussing their identity and, during a question-and-answer session, urged them to participate in public service and civic life.
In his keynote address, Hindu educator Shawn Binda, creator of Hindu Lifestyle, asked participants, “Why are you Hindu?”
Drawing on his Indo-Caribbean upbringing, Binda described three foundations for Hindu advocacy: “head, heart, and belonging.” He encouraged attendees to develop an understanding of Hindu traditions, strengthen their personal connection to Dharma and build relationships across Hindu communities.
“You also can’t always advocate for Hinduism as a reaction to some attack,” Binda said. “…That flame will eventually die out. There needs to be something deeper that draws us towards a tradition.”
The workshops connected these discussions with exercises intended to help participants respond to concerns in educational and community settings, the statement said.
In a session titled “From the Room to the Record,” NCRI analyst and youth advocate Prasiddha Sudhakar discussed identifying and documenting discrimination. She drew on her campus advocacy involving a working definition of Hinduphobia, as well as her research on anti-Hindu hate and online disinformation.
“You can’t fight what you can’t name,” Sudhakar said, adding that “it’s important to have a name for discrimination.”
Her session also asked participants to consider how they would respond to situations involving bias and misrepresentation.
Rutgers University students Riya Patel and Nikhil Gill led a workshop on Hinduphobia on college campuses, inviting attendees to share experiences of religious or cultural misrepresentation in academic settings. According to the statement, participants examined statements presented during the session as examples of anti-Hindu bias and discussed their wording, underlying assumptions and emotional impact.
Another workshop, led by CoHNA President Nikunj Trivedi and Binda, examined common misconceptions about Hinduism and approaches to discussing Hindu beliefs and practices.
CYAN leaders Shyam Kumar, Anika Ajgaonkar and Mira Trivedi conducted a public policy workshop covering research, documentation, coalition building, engagement with decision-makers, public education and institutional procedures.
“If you notice problems in your school curriculum or anti-Hindu rhetoric, you can make changes on a small scale,” said Ayushi Sharma, a Rutgers University student. “The step-by-step approach made advocacy feel much more achievable.”
Group exercises asked participants to apply those approaches to scenarios involving the representation of Hinduism in school textbooks and the labeling of beef-derived ingredients and alternatives in university dining services.
“Helping organize this conference gave me the opportunity to connect with other young Hindus who are willing to speak openly about their concerns and work together to address misrepresentation,” said Ajgaonkar, a Rutgers University student and CYAN member. “It was encouraging to see how many different perspectives could come together around a shared commitment to advocacy.”
Patel and Gill, who also served as emcees, closed the formal program by encouraging participants to apply what they had learned, maintain connections with fellow attendees and remain involved through CYAN.
“The conference reflected CYAN’s growing effort to provide Hindu youth with opportunities to move from awareness to active civic engagement while building relationships with others confronting similar issues,” said Kumar, founder and president of CYAN’s Rutgers University chapter. “I’m excited to stay involved and continue my journey in advocacy.”
