As a broad coalition of temples, monasteries, spiritual and cultural organizations, as well as allies, we are writing to urge you to veto HB2783[1], which criminalizes the display of the Swastika, a sacred and ancient symbol for millions of Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Zoroastrians, and Native Americas. As written, the bill will perpetuate misunderstanding, misuse and hatred towards these communities and violate their civil rights.

This bill is flawed because it fails to distinguish between the “Hakenkreuz” (“hooked cross”), which is the Nazi symbol of hatred, and the Swastika, which is a symbol of peace, well-being and prosperity. It is the Nazi hooked cross, and NOT the Swastika, that is used as a symbol of hatred towards Jewish Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and other minorities.

Therefore, we urge you to veto the bill as it stands unless the sponsor includes the following changes in the bill language:

• Make a clear distinction between the hateful Nazi symbol and the sacred Swastika by inserting the words “incorrectly known as” before the word “swastika.”
• Refer to the Nazi emblem of hatred as “Hakenkreuz” or the “Nazi hooked cross” within the bill and accompanying materials.
• Declare that this Nazi symbol is different than the Swastika symbol used by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Zoroastrians, and some native American communities.

These changes must be undertaken in body of the legislation to prevent the bill from having the negative consequences on our communities.

A symbol derives its meaning not just from the shape but also from the context. Despite the apparent geometrical similarities between the hooked cross and the Swastika, the two have NOTHING to do with each other and are used in diametrically opposite contexts.

“Swastika” is a Sanskrit word and a symbol of peace, well-being and prosperity currently used by nearly two billion people and numerous cultures around the world. It is displayed in our temples and monasteries, in our homes, in our sacred art, during our festivals (e.g. Diwali), during our marriages, and on many other occasions. There is no “good Swastika” vs a “bad Swastika” – because the word itself means “all that is good.”

Hitler did not use the word “Swastika” in Mein Kampf or any of his works, and the word does not exist in the German language[2]. On the other hand, the “Hakenkreuz” (a German word) or hooked cross was the emblem of the Nazi party, and represents death and destruction, along with the racist, and now debunked, theory that White Europeans are “pure Aryans” who brought civilization to India and other cultures.

We fully support the intent of the bill – to foster a more inclusive and tolerant society for all, given the increase in hate crimes against Jewish community and others in Virginia. It is also important to recognize the transgenerational trauma of the six million Jews, one and half million Romas, and others killed by Nazi persecution and that the Nazi symbol has a chilling and intimidating effect on Jewish Americans even today.

Yet, the important work of fighting hatred and intolerance must not inadvertently stoke resentment and hatred towards other religious minorities.

We must also bring to your attention that important conversations and dialogues have happened between the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jewish communities around this topic to foster mutual understanding and respect[3][4][5]. Such efforts continue even today. 

For more information and additional resources, please visit https://cohna.org/swastika and contact CoHNA at info@cohna.org to reflect the appropriate language changes.

We hope that you take these concerns seriously and do what is right to protect ALL communities.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned.

References:

[1] https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1791993

[2] https://cohna.org/swastika-is-not-hakenkreuz/

[3] https://www.printmag.com/daily-heller/the-daily-heller-when-is-a-swastika-not-a-hate-symbol/

[4] https://jewishportland.org/jewishreview/jr-stories/jewish-hindu-break-barriers

[5] https://hindupact.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Hindu-Jewish_Leadership_Summit_Declaration.pdf