December 19, 2005. Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (World Hindu Council of America) strongly supports the need for getting removed all inaccuracies regarding Hinduism in school-textbooks used in California. As the representative voice of more than 2 million Hindus in the USA, Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) expresses its serious concern at the derailment of the review process of textbooks which portray Hindu religion and history in biased and unfair ways. It also urges the California Board of Education (CBE) to accept the recommendations of Hindu Education Foundation and Vedic Foundation.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America strongly believes that Hinduism, as a minority religion in USA, has been unfairly treated as compared to other religions in California school textbooks. VHPA thinks that the CBE has used different yardsticks in terms of addressing the concerns of Hindus vis-à-vis of those who follow other religions. Further, by accepting the last minute input from a biased group which was never thoroughly involved in the review process, had never reviewed the books and comments in a detailed way, had members who have issued anti-Hindu inflammatory statements in the past, and had no locus standi on matters of Hindu faith and identity, CBE has apparently acquiesced in reinforcing the bias and prejudice against Hindu religion, history and civilization. This is extremely disturbing to the entire Hindu American community.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America will take all possible steps, including recourse to legal means, to get distortions about Hinduism removed from school textbooks used in California and elsewhere as well. VHPA will liaise with all fraternal Hindu organizations in getting this work done and will put all its efforts and resources towards this goal.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) of America (VHPA), founded in 1970 and incorporated in the state of New York in 1974, is an independent, nonprofit, tax- exempt and volunteer-based charitable organization serving the needs of Hindu community in USA. It aims to build a dynamic and vibrant Hindu society rooted in the eternal values of Dharma and inspired by the lofty ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, i.e. the entire creation is one family.