By Kashmira Konduparty
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) partnered with the San Jose Police Department (SJPD) and the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office hosts a community safety event called “Suraksha” in San Jose, California. The event focused on educating the Hindu community about hate crime reporting, public safety and law enforcement resources amid concerns about rising Hinduphobia.
Organizers said the event was created to strengthen communication between law enforcement agencies and the Hindu community. The program addressed issues such as hate crimes, hate-motivated incidents, victim support and community safety awareness. Officials emphasized the importance of reporting incidents, even when they appear minor.
“Suraksha,” a Sanskrit word meaning “protection,” is CoHNA’s ongoing community outreach initiative. Similar events have been held in New York City, Toronto, Calgary and other North American cities.
READ: Walmart viral clip draws backlash toward ‘Muslim employees’ over alleged threatening gesture (May 12, 2026)
The event took place following several reported attacks on Hindu temples in California. CoHNA representatives said fears within the Hindu community have increased due to anti-Hindu hate online, vandalism and incidents targeting Hindu students and places of worship. The organization said the initiative is part of its broader effort to address Hinduphobia in North America.
Manan Rawal, the Director of CoHNA Bay Area Chapter, said “ensuring that our community understands how to report incidents, and that law enforcement understands Hindu community concerns, is an essential step toward building trust and improving safety outcomes.”
Officers from the SJPD explained how hate crimes are investigated and documented. They clarified the difference between hate crimes and hate incidents that may not meet the criminal threshold but are still recorded. Officials also walked attendees through emergency and non-emergency reporting procedures.
READ: Catholic Trump supporters disappointed with the president’s feud with Pope (April 20, 2026)
Representatives from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office discussed prosecution of hate crimes, victim support system and the judicial process. Officials highlighted resources such as the Victim Services Unit and California Victim Compensation Board. The office reiterated District Attorney Jeff Rosen’s message that “hate has no home here.”
Organizers said many immigrant families are often hesitant to approach police because of language barriers, unfamiliarity with the legal system or concerns about immigration status. Police officials said translation services and multilingual officers are available and stressed that immigration status does not affect access to emergency assistance.
CoHNA said that the program aims to improve safety awareness and encourage cooperation with local law enforcement agencies.
The San Jose event reflects growing efforts by community organizations and law enforcement agencies to address hate-related concerns through education and dialogue. Organizers said continued engagement between public officials and local communities is essential to improve trust, reporting and public safety outcomes.