Hindu students push US schools to distinguish sacred swastika from Nazi Hakenkreuz
Mira Trivedi (left) presents a lesson on the history of the swastika to students, a sacred swastika is shown on a wall (right). One student's
Mira Trivedi (left) presents a lesson on the history of the swastika to students, a sacred swastika is shown on a wall (right). One student's classroom experience sparked a wider campaign Maryland students helped change policy for 50,000 students Confusion over the symbols has caused problems beyond schools Hindu students across the US are pushing schools to distinguish the ancient swastika from the Nazi Hakenkreuz. The swastika is a sacred symbol associated with well-being and good fortune in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The campaign has grown after students faced cases where religious swastikas were mistaken for Nazi symbols. In New Jersey, 15-year-old Mira Trivedi persuaded her school board to educate teachers about the distinction. Two Hindu students in Maryland also helped change their district's policy. Their efforts highlight a wider debate over how schools should teach the history and meaning of a symbol that carries very different meanings across cultures.Religion News Service (RNS) reported that Mira Trivedi's campaign began after an eighth-grade social studies lesson. Her teacher described the swastika as a hate symbol linked to Hitler's antisemitism. Trivedi had grown up seeing the symbol during Hindu religious celebrations. Her family used it during festivals and auspicious occasions. A priest also drew it on her newborn cousin's forehead and relatives wore jewellery featuring the symbol.She approached her teacher after class and explained its much older religious history.
When the teacher said only senior officials could change what was taught, Trivedi took the issue further.In May 2025, she presented her concerns to her vice principal, principal and school board in central New Jersey. Her efforts led the board to educate 35 teachers about the difference between the Hindu swastika and the Nazi symbol. "That's what started my whole journey," Trivedi said. She is now in Year 10 and has continued working with other Hindu and Buddhist students. She has also received support from her parents, who helped gather historical material and family photographs showing the swastika being used in Hindu religious ceremonies. Her father helped compile references on the difference between the two symbols and provided photographs from family albums for her presentation to school authorities.Trivedi has said the campaign is also about preventing misconceptions about Hinduism and other faiths. She recalled facing subtle bullying over her religion and said she believes better understanding of religious symbols could help challenge such stereotypes. She has also said that several teachers acknowledged her concerns but told her that changes to curriculum terminology would need to come from district authorities.A similar campaign took place in Maryland's Howard County Public School System. Hindu students Saisha Vyas and Priya Bakshi began challenging the district's treatment of the swastika. Bakshi said she wanted to wear a necklace bearing the religious symbol at school but that it was prohibited under district rules.
The BriefWire