Zambia: US Congressman Thanedar announces launch of Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain (HBSJ) American congressional caucus

Indian American Congressman Shri Thanedar, who is the US House representative from Michigan’s 13th Congressional district, has announced the launch of the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain (HBSJ) American congressional caucus, on Friday. Besides Thanedar, who is the founder and chair, the new caucus is joined by 23 other members of US Congress, according to a press release from Thanedar’s office.
The caucus will provide a platform for fostering dialogue, promoting understanding, and raising awareness about the specific needs and concerns of these communities, by aiming to address issues around combating religious discrimination and promoting religious freedom for Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains and ensuring accurate representation and inclusion of Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain perspectives in policy discussions.
Addressing cultural misunderstandings and promoting interfaith dialogue and harmony and supporting initiatives to promote Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain Americans’ well-being, education, and empowerment are the other goals of the newly- formed caucus. A US congressional caucus is a group of members of the United States Congress that
meet to pursue common legislative objectives.
Thanedar, who became the newest entrant to the ‘Samosa caucus’ of Indian American representatives in the US Congress in 2023, after his election from Michigan, said that he believes “that an inclusive America is a stronger America”, when he launched the new caucus. He was also part of an official US Congressional delegation that visited India last month.
Earlier, in June this year, at the first ever Hindu American summit, Thanedar had announced plans to form a Hindu caucus in the US Congress to bring like-minded lawmakers under one umbrella to ensure that there is no hate and bigotry against Hindus in America.