Coalition of Hindus of North America

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Suraksha

Community Safety and Resilience Through Education & Advocacy​

“Suraksha,” (a Sanskrit word that means “protection” and resiliance) is a flagship CoHNA program to enhance community safety and resilience by educating law enforcement and policymakers on Hindu cultural practices and anti-Hindu bias, while empowering our community with the knowledge and resources to identify, report, and respond to hate crimes and bias incidents.

Through this program, CoHNA strives to ensure policy and enforcement decisions are informed by accurate information, emerging trends, and real-world community context. 

We serve as a trusted educational partner, bridging the gap between community realities and executive-level decision-making.

We equip law enforcement leaders and legislators with nonpartisan, community-informed education that supports smarter policy, safer operations, and stronger public trust.

Reach out to us today at info[at]cohna.org to host a session in your city, town or at the state level.

Why Suraksha

Hinduphobia (anti-Hindu hatred) has been on a steady rise – from the targeting of Hindu temples in the United States and Canada, homes, and individuals to increased harassment and bullying of students in high schools and colleges. A 2024 report by the California Civil Rights Department showed that Hinduphobia was only second to antisemitism. And FBI data and research from universities like Rutgers have documented the growing hate against Hindus in America. The rash of attacks on individuals and on Hindu temples from New York to California has brought the problem home in a most visceral way, traumatizing the community and impacting the ability of some to freely practice their faith.

Statistics Canada has reported a dramatic rise in hate crimes targeting South Asians, a demographic that is majority Hindu. The Institute for Strategic Dialogue reported a 1,350% surge in anti-South Asian slurs on X between 2023 and 2024.

Combined with that, misinterpretation of Hindu rituals and symbols can escalate routine interactions into disputes very quickly.

Many hate and bias related incidents also remain unreported due to unclear processes and sometimes nonexistent reporting mechanisms, fear of getting into trouble with law enforcement, or a host of other reasons. 

Challenge for Public Safety Leaders

Today’s public safety leaders face rapidly evolving community and public safety challenges, increased legislative and operational scrutiny, limited access to consolidated, community-informed intelligence, and a pressure to act quickly with long-term implications. Without targeted education and awareness, responses risk becoming reactive rather than strategic.

What CoHNA Delivers

CoHNA provides structured education and awareness briefings designed specifically for executive audiences. Our education efforts include: briefings on emerging trends and risks impacting public safety; community-informed context supporting enforcement and policy decisions; leadership-level training that enhances situational awareness; clear, concise materials tailored for legislators, chiefs, and command staff; jurisdiction-specific education aligned with current priorities

Our role is to inform and clarify—and propel enhanced collaboration with agency and legislative authority.

Value to Law Enforcement Leadership

The program improves strategic awareness and readiness, supports officer safety and operational effectiveness, reduces miscommunication that escalates community encounters, strengthens trust, cooperation, and legitimacy, and helps leadership anticipate emerging challenges.

Value to Legislators

For legislators, the program supports evidence-based policymaking; provides frontline context beyond reports and statistics; identifies unintended consequences before implementation; informs responsible funding and oversight decisions; demonstrates commitment to informed, accountable governance.

Suraksha Events and Partnerships