Calling it a “tremendous achievement for the Hindu community in Ohio,” Ohio State Senator Niraj Antani (R-Miamisburg), on December 19, 2024, announced the successful passage of his bill to establish October as Hindu Heritage Month in Ohio. The Bill now moves to Governor DeWine’s desk, where it awaits his approval.
Senator Antani, the first Hindu and Indian American State Senator in Ohio’s history, is also the youngest Hindu and Indian American state or federal elected official in the United States.
“This is a huge win for Hindus across Ohio and the country. Now, every October we will be able to officially celebrate our Hindu heritage in Ohio. This was the culmination of a lot of work by Hindu advocates here in Ohio and across the country and I was very happy to partner with them to get this passed,” said Sen. Antani in a statement.
On December 18th, Senator Antani successfully amended his bill into HB 173 during a Senate floor session. The legislation was then passed unanimously by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Antani further noted he was “immensely excited,” about the new Bill.
“Ohio is home to millions of unique individuals, each with their own background and story,” State Representative Adam Mathews said. “I am incredibly grateful to have worked with Sen. Antani and my local Hindu constituents to finally enact Hindu Heritage Month in Ohio.”
Rep. Mathews, the House sponsor and champion of the bill, represents most of Warren County, a region home to a significant Hindu population in the Cincinnati area.
“We’re extremely grateful to Senator Antani and Representative Mathews for their leadership in spearheading this bill to designate October as Hindu Heritage Month. By officially recognizing Hindu Heritage Month every year, HB 173 goes a long way in ensuring that the contributions, culture, and traditions of Hindu Americans are better understood and appreciated by the people of Ohio,” added Managing Director of the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), Samir Kalra.
“We welcome this historic bill and ask Governor DeWine to sign it,” Kalra added, emphasizing that the legislation “will go a long way in ensuring that the contributions, culture, and traditions of Hindu Americans in Ohio.”
Executive Director of HAF, Suhag Shukla, noted the broader significance of the week for Hindu Americans. “This week we saw Broward Schools name Diwali as a school holiday, and now Niraj Antani announces Ohio could soon officially name October as Hindu Heritage Month every year. What a good news week for Hindu Americans,” she said.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) congratulated Senator Antani on this milestone and expressed optimism that Governor DeWine would sign the bill into law soon.
Another advocacy group, HinduACTion, commended Senator Antani for his leadership and the coordination required to advance the bill. “We saw the amount of coordination and effort it took to get this bill to the Governor’s desk,” the organization stated, expressing hope for an annual celebration of Hindu Heritage Month every October.
