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What is the Right to Worship Act introduced in US Congress? Hindu group supports it
At a Capitol Hill press conference on 16 September, US senators who introduced the bill were joined by representatives from over two dozen national groups spanning multiple faiths.
New Delhi: A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the United States and more than 30 religious organisations are urging Congress to pass the Right to Worship Act. The bipartisan, bicameral bill introduced on 6 August aims to protect the free exercise of religion by establishing a 100-foot buffer zone around entrances to houses of worship. Organisations representing Hindus, Sikhs, and Jewish people gathered at Capitol Hill on 16 September to support the law.
The bill would make it unlawful to knowingly disrupt a scheduled religious service or impede people from participating within the zone, starting one hour before and ending one hour after the service. Violations would result in escalating civil fines beginning at $2,500 for a first offence and rising to $10,000 for subsequent ones. A right-of-action clause will allow affected individuals, the state, the attorney general, or state attorneys general to seek injunctions and damages.
“Exercising your right to worship should not require you to exhibit particular courage as you enter your synagogue, church, mosque, temple, mandir, or gurdwara,” Tom Suozzi, a lead House sponsor, said in a statement. “I will always stand up for people’s right to protest peacefully, but attendees of religious services should not be harassed, threatened, intimidated, or targeted for practicing their faith.”
He added that the Act will both protect free speech and the freedom to worship.
‘Act comes amid rising Hinduphobia’
The legislation, introduced by Suozzi and Brad Knott, is designed as a content-neutral measure that focuses on the protesters’ manner of conduct such as volume, duration, and impact—rather than the viewpoint expressed. Peaceful protest outside the buffer zone remains fully protected, and houses of worship are not required to publish service schedules.
At a Capitol Hill press conference on 16 September, Suozzi and Knott were joined by representatives from more than two dozen national groups spanning multiple faiths. Among the endorsing organisations is the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA).
In a statement, CoHNA said it is “proud” to support the Act, which provides important protections for Hindu temples and all places of worship against targeted disruption and intimidation. Senator Ted Cruz described the measure as a necessary response to organised disruptions.
Speaking at the event, Hitesh Trivedi, CoHNA’s COO and NJ Chapter Leader, noted the acts of vandalism, threats and, in one case, gunfire, while devotees were inside the temple as an act of “Hinduphobia”.
“Coming amid rising #Hinduphobia in the country, this has led to serious concerns among American Hindus about basic security. Thank you, Congressman Tom Souzzi and Congressman Brad Knott, for introducing the Right to Worship Act,” he said.
Trivedi asserted that the freedom to practice the religion of one’s choosing is highly cherished.
“This is a much-needed step to help ensure that devotees of every faith can visit their places of worship and pray without fear of being targeted or intimidated for simply exercising their First Amendment rights.”
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)