Georgia became the first state in the United States to pass a resolution condemning Hinduphobia.

The resolution, which condemned Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry, stated that Hinduism is one of the world’s largest and oldest religions, with over 1.2 billion adherents in over 100 countries, and that it encompasses a wide range of diverse traditions and belief systems based on acceptance, mutual respect, and peace.

Representatives Lauren McDonald and Todd Jones of Forsyth County in Atlanta’s suburbs introduced the resolution, which is home to one of Georgia’s major Hindu and Indian-American diaspora communities.

The resolution noted that the American-Hindu community has made significant contributions to many different fields, including manufacturing, energy, academia, health care, research and engineering, information technology, hospitality, and finance.

It also mentioned how the community’s contributions of yoga, ayurveda, meditation, food, music, and the arts have enriched American society, been widely adopted, and improved the lives of millions of people.

The resolution stated that there have been documented instances of hate crimes against Hindu Americans in many parts of the country over the last few decades and that Hinduphobia is exacerbated and institutionalized by some in academia who support the deconstruction of Hinduism and accuse its sacred texts and cultural practices of violence and oppression.