Increased threats to Hindu Americans, temples from hate groups seeking use of COVID-19 as bioweapon

Washington, DC (March 25, 2020) — Media reports and government sources have detailed how white supremacists and other hate groups have discussed using COVID-19 as a bioweapon by leaving “saliva on door handles” at FBI offices, spitting on elevator buttons, and publicly spreading the virus in “nonwhite neighborhoods”.

In response to these potential threats to the Hindu American community and our places of worship, Suhag Shukla, Esq., Executive Director of the Hindu American Foundation, released the following statement:

“We urge Hindu Americans to take the spread of the novel Coronavirus COVID-19 very seriously, heeding all CDC guidance on hygiene as well as local and state government guidance on social distancing measures. In addition to the threat that this virus poses in and of itself, we have received credible information from our government sources about hate groups seeking to take advantage of the global pandemic and weaponize the virus to target Asian Americans and others that merits extra vigilance in these already trying times.”

According to sources, online discussions amongst white supremacist groups have urged infected people to spread the disease to Asian Amerians and other minorities. Asian American and Jewish communities, as well as places of worship have been discussed as targets groups in the context of discussions promoting the idea of weaponizing the COVID-19 to spread the disease to places of worship, minority-owned businesses, and minorities themselves.

Additionally, ISIS, in its weekly newsletter, has also called for its supporters to attack healthcare systems in Western countries, which are currently over-burdened by the COVID-19.

While there have not been any reported cases of any individuals or groups acting on these calls, we urge Indian and Hindu institutions and individuals across the United States to be more aware of their surroundings and for institutions to establish proactive contact with local law enforcement to protect their institutions and be better informed about any specific or credible threats locally.

According to FBI statistics anti-Hindu hate crimes have continued to rise over the last three years.

HAF urges members of the Hindu American community to report any instances of hate or violence to local law enforcement and to HAF on our Anti-Hindu Hate Crime and Hinduphobia Incident Form.

HAF also urges Hindu temple leaders across the U.S. to download and read HAF’s Hindu Temple Safety and Security Guide.