A Sikh student was assaulted on the campus of San Jose State University after being mistaken for Hindu, prompting condemnation from Hindu advocacy groups and renewed calls for stronger campus security. The incident, which occurred on 7 February, is being investigated by campus and local authorities as a possible hate crime.
According to university officials, the student was attacked by a group of individuals who allegedly forced him to the ground and tore off his turban. During the assault, the attackers reportedly used the word “Hindu” as a slur, indicating a case of misidentification paired with bias-driven language. The suspects are believed to be non-students, and no arrests have been announced so far. Authorities say surveillance footage is being reviewed and witnesses interviewed.
