Hindu American Foundation Supports New Jersey Family Targeted in Hate Crime

June 15, 2006

Source: Hindu American Foundation press release

http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/media_press_release_hate_crime_nj.htm

On June 15, 2006 a Hindu American Foundation press release reported, "The Hindu American Foundation expressed dismay and shock at the hate attack on a Hindu family in Wayne, New Jersey on June 1, 2006. The home of the family of five was defaced with anti-Hindu and anti-Indian epithets spray-painted across their driveway and house. Earlier in January, the family had been targeted with hate mail as well as graffiti on their garage door.

New Jersey was witness to racially and religiously motivated attacks against Indian-Americans and Hindu-Americans during the 1980’s. Young men, identifying themselves as the 'Dotbusters,' targeted Hindus because Hindu women wore 'dots' or 'bindi' on their forehead – a traditional mark that has both spiritual symbolism and aesthetic appeal. The series of attacks ended in the murder of Indian-American Navroze Mody.

New Jersey state records indicate that hate crimes have risen by 32 percent from 2003 to 2004. Fourteen of the victims were targeted because of their Indian-American identity, while three were attacked because of their Hindu faith."