The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) welcomed the move.
Washington:
The California State Senate unanimously passed legislation legalizing the sacred symbol of Swastika in the penal code and recognizing the Nazi hate symbol by its German name, Hakenkreuz.
California has one of the largest Indian-American communities, who have been seeking such a legislative action for quite some time.
The bill, which passed last week, is now at the top of Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk, which, if signed, would officially make California the first state to legalize the Swastika.
This law made California the first state to recognize the Nazi symbol by its exact name, Hakenkreuz, or “hook cross” in its penal code.
It makes California the first state to recognize the swastika as a sacred symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism in its penal code.
Last week, an interfaith coalition of religious leaders and organizations submitted a letter to California Senate Majority Leader Bob Hertzberg expressing their support for AB 2282. .
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) welcomed the move.
“We are pleased that we are taking another step toward making history in California by decoding the swastika with the passage of AB2282 in the Senate. We thank member of Congress Bauer-Kahan for continuing to do so. leadership on this matter and we urge the Governor to sign this historic act to better protect the religious practices of Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Zoroastrians,” said the executive. HAF, said Samir Kalra.
