CoHNA Youth Action Network (CYAN) Condemns Hinduphobic Assault at San Jose State University
Hindu Student Group Calls for Swift Investigation and Proper Accountability
San Jose, CA, February 13, 2026: CYAN (CoHNA Youth Action Network) is deeply disturbed by the violent assault near MacQuarrie Hall at San Jose State University. On February 7th, a visibly observant Sikh student was reportedly attacked by a group of individuals, forced to the ground, and had his turban torn off. This is a reprehensible act of hate and intimidation.
The attackers reportedly used “Hindu” as a slur during the assault – a classic case of Hinduphobia. Even while the victim of the attack was an observant Sikh student, the usage of the word “Hindu” followed by violence points to the intended bigotry of the attackers.
This should not be viewed as an isolated incident. It fits a clear, escalating pattern of Hinduphobia. Over the past three years, hate targeting Hindus in California has risen in ways that are both visible and measurable, from slurs and intimidation to attacks on sacred spaces. Between December 2023 and March 2025 alone, four Hindu temples were vandalized, including the states largest Hindu temple and two right here in the Bay Area.
Macro data from the state is equally disturbing. A 2024 report from California Civil Rights department found that nearly a quarter of reported religion-based hate incidents targeted Hindus, with anti-Jewish incidents at 36.9%, anti-Hindu at 23.3%, and anti-Muslim at 14.6%. California’s 2025 hate crime report also shows anti-Hindu incidents rising for four straight years. When you zoom out, it’s impossible to pretend this was random or disconnected.
We stand with the Sikh student and the Sikh community on campus. At the same time, we refuse to accept the erasure of the Hinduphobic element of this incident. Naming the bias incident appropriately is not just optional; it is the bare minimum for accountability, for prevention, and for student safety.
It is also deeply alarming that the assailants are reported to be non-students, pointing to a failure of campus security that puts Hindu and Indian students at great risk.
CYAN demands immediate action from the university leadership:
- Explicitly acknowledge and condemn Hinduphobia, including the use of “Hindu” as a slur in this attack and the growing atmosphere of hate.
- Engage directly with Hindu student organizations and provide trauma-informed support services for affected students.
- Implement Hindu and Sikh awareness programming that addresses real bias and increase campus-wide protection for Hindu and Sikh students.
Hindu students deserve protection, dignity, and inclusion just like every other community on campus. And it is the University’s responsibility to ensure these fundamental rights are not ignored.
More resources on Hinduphobia can be found here: https://cohna.org/hinduphobia/
About CoHNA
CoHNA is a grassroots level advocacy and civil rights organization dedicated to improving the understanding of Hinduism in North America by working on matters related to the Hindu community and by educating the public about Hindu heritage and tradition. For more information, please visit https://cohna.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and on Instagram.