A Sikh student was attacked after being mistaken for a Hindu on the San Jose State University campus, prompting condemnation from Hindu advocacy groups and renewed calls for greater campus security. The incident occurred on February 7 and is being investigated as a possible hate crime by campus and local authorities.The student was attacked by a group of people who allegedly pushed him to the ground and tore off his turban, according to university officials. During the attack, the attacker reportedly used the word “Hindu” as a slur, suggesting it was a case of misidentification combined with bias-driven language. The suspect is not believed to be a student and no arrests have been announced. Authorities said they were reviewing surveillance video and interviewing witnesses.
Hindu groups respond, alleging bias issues
The CoHNA Youth Action Network (CYAN), the youth organization of the Confederation of Hindus of North America, condemned the attack in a statement issued on February 13. The group acknowledged that the victims were Sikhs but said the alleged use of “Hindu” as a slur and physical violence demonstrated anti-Hindu bias.CYAN said it stands with Sikh students and the Sikh community on campus, while also urging authorities to accurately identify the bias involved. The organization believes properly naming bias is critical to accountability, prevention and student safety.
University Statements and Clarifications
San Jose State University President Cynthia Teniente-Mattson condemned the attack, calling a hate crime an “evil act that harms an entire community.” She said the school will not tolerate hatred, discrimination or violence and is committed to supporting affected students, staff and staff.The university also acknowledged an error in the initial campus communication that misidentified the victim’s religious identity and later issued a clarification. Officials said corrections will be made once more accurate information becomes available.CYAN and other advocates say the incident should not be viewed in isolation. The group cited data from the California Civil Rights Department, noting that a large proportion of religious-based hate incidents reported in California in 2024 were against Hindus. While the victims in this case are Sikhs, CYAN said the alleged defamation reflects the overlapping vulnerabilities faced by Sikh and Hindu students.The group also expressed concerns about campus safety, pointing to reports of non-student involvement as a sign of potential gaps. It urges university leadership to increase protections, engage directly with Hindu and Sikh student organizations, provide trauma-informed support services and implement awareness programs that address religious bias.San Jose State University said it continues to cooperate with law enforcement and takes hate crimes seriously. As the investigation continues, student groups and community organizations are calling for greater transparency, accountability and measures to ensure the safety of religious minorities on campus.
