Poonam Sharma
In a historic win for Hindu student activism, the University of California, Berkeley has just signed a proclamation recognizing Hindu Heritage Month, becoming the first university in the United States to do so. A decision like this has finally taken shape after a year of tireless work, negotiations, and organizing in the community by Hindu student groups on campus, and it is considered a historic moment for representation and acknowledgement of Hindu identity in American academia.
The proclamation passed by the UC Berkeley Student Senate follows months of discussion, persistence, and advocacy led by CoHNA Youth Action Network, with support from Hindu YUVA and championing by student leaders Aryan Shinde, Arya Kulkarni, and the larger CYAN Berkeley chapter. The work has set a new national standard in terms of how student-led cultural advocacy can reshape campus climate and recognition.
A Breakthrough in Representation
Hindu Heritage Month, usually observed every October, honors the rich diversity of cultural, philosophical, and spiritual traditions in Hindu civilization. So far, a number of states and local governments in the United States have adopted the observance. UC Berkeley’s adoption is the first formal recognition of the observance by a large American university.
For many Hindu students, the proclamation is more than symbolic recognition: an affirmation of identity in a place where often they have felt unseen or misunderstood.
Over the last year, the Hindu student community at UC Berkeley has brought to light the issue of rising Hinduphobia, misrepresentation of Hindu traditions, and a wave of vandalism attacks on Hindu temples across the United States. Recognition of Hindu Heritage Month signals institutional acknowledgment of these concerns and an important step toward fostering a more inclusive and respectful environment on campus.
A Long Struggle That Gained National Attention
What started out as a routine cultural resolution, according to the Hindu student groups involved, turned into a national controversy. When attempts were made to bring in the proclamation last spring, unexpected opposition was met, and what should have been a straightforward effort to honor heritage found itself mired in misinformation and contentious debate with political overtones.
But instead of a retreat, student advocates redoubled their efforts.They arranged meetings with senators; held public forums; met with various administrators; and worked closely with national Hindu advocacy groups. They forged a consensus in the student government, piece by piece, with peaceful speeches, fact-based debate, and unrelenting determination.All that persistence came to a head with this historic victory, now jubilated across the country by Hindu communities.
Acknowledging Hinduphobia and Temple Attacks
Student leaders made clear that this proclamation is not only about culture and celebration but also about safety, dignity, and recognizing discrimination.
From graffiti to hate symbols, cases of vandalism of temples are on the rise across the country. Berkeley’s Hindu students have talked frequently about a climate where misunderstandings about Hindu traditions sometimes boil over into prejudice or hostility.
With this proclamation, UC Berkeley is among the first educational institutions to officially recognize these increasing problems. As stated in the document:
Rising instances of Hinduphobia on U.S. campuses
Emotional and mental impact on Hindu students
The need for universities to address cultural misinformation
Attacks on temples and places of worship across the country
For many Hindu students, this acknowledgement in itself is a milestone.
Student Leaders to the Fore
The success of this initiative owes much to the determined leadership of students who refused to let their cultural identity be sidelined.
Aryan Shinde and Arya Kulkarni, whose names have become synonymous with the movement on campus, spent countless hours drafting proposals, engaging with community leaders, and presenting their case in student senate meetings.
The CYAN team at Berkeley, working in close partnership with Hindu YUVA, demonstrated what organized youth advocacy can achieve even in challenging university environments. These efforts have now set the example for Hindu students across the country.
A Growing National Youth Movement
This victory will lead to Hindu student organizations encouraging more young people to join the movement for cultural representation, awareness, and protection against discrimination.
CoHNA Youth Action Network—already active in several universities—has invited interested students across the country to join their ranks. Those interested can reach them at cyan@cohna.org
None of the quoted material, other than the court’s opinion itself, carries a copyright; therefore, no permission to reprint was required. Success at Berkeley created a model for similar efforts at college campuses everywhere: coalition building, persistence, respectful engagement, and, above all, the value of student voices.
A Moment of Pride—and a Beginning
News of this development sent ripples across the nation as Hindu communities nationwide celebrated this first step on the part of UC Berkeley. But student leaders say this is only the beginning. True recognition and understanding of Hindu heritage requires continued education, dialogue, and institutional support. Still, the passage of the proclamation stands as a historic milestone in honor of a rich cultural tradition, in recognition of contemporary challenges, and as a signal to the rising confidence and unity of Hindu youth throughout America. UC Berkeley has made history, but the movement it has inspired is just getting started.
