A Sikh scholar was assaulted on the campus of San Jose State College after being mistaken for Hindu, prompting condemnation from Hindu advocacy teams and renewed requires stronger campus safety. The incident, which occurred on 7 February, is being investigated by campus and native authorities as a attainable hate crime.Based on college officers, the scholar was attacked by a gaggle of people who allegedly compelled him to the bottom and tore off his turban. In the course of the assault, the attackers reportedly used the phrase “Hindu” as a slur, indicating a case of misidentification paired with bias-driven language. The suspects are believed to be non-students, and no arrests have been introduced to date. Authorities say surveillance footage is being reviewed and witnesses interviewed.
Hindu teams reply, cite bias considerations
The CoHNA Youth Motion Community (CYAN), the youth wing of the Coalition of Hindus of North America, condemned the assault in a press release issued on 13 February. Whereas acknowledging that the sufferer is Sikh, the group mentioned the alleged use of “Hindu” as a slur alongside bodily violence factors to anti-Hindu bias.CYAN mentioned it stands in solidarity with the Sikh scholar and the Sikh group on campus, whereas additionally urging authorities to precisely establish the bias concerned. The group argued that naming the unfairness accurately is important for accountability, prevention, and scholar security.
College assertion and clarification
San Jose State College president Cynthia Teniente-Matson condemned the assault, calling hate crimes “evil acts that hurt complete communities.” She mentioned the college doesn’t tolerate hate, discrimination, or violence and is dedicated to supporting affected college students, college, and workers.The college additionally acknowledged errors in its preliminary campus communication, which misidentified the sufferer’s non secular id, and later issued a clarification. Officers mentioned the correction was made as soon as extra correct data grew to become out there.CYAN and different advocates mentioned the incident shouldn’t be considered in isolation. The group cited knowledge from the California Civil Rights Division, noting {that a} vital share of religion-based hate incidents reported in California in 2024 focused Hindus. Whereas the sufferer on this case was Sikh, CYAN mentioned the alleged slur displays overlapping vulnerabilities confronted by Sikh and Hindu college students.The organisation additionally raised considerations about campus safety, pointing to the reported involvement of non-students as an indication of potential gaps. It urged college management to strengthen protections, have interaction straight with Hindu and Sikh scholar organisations, present trauma-informed assist providers, and implement consciousness programmes addressing non secular bias.San Jose State College has mentioned it continues to cooperate with legislation enforcement and treats hate crimes with seriousness. Because the investigation stays ongoing, scholar teams and group organisations are calling for transparency, accountability, and steps to make sure the protection of spiritual minorities on campus.
