Ohio has recognized October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month since 1998.
In 2025, lawmakers permanently designated that same entire month Hindu Heritage Month.
Sen. Niraj Antani, who sponsored the bill, admitted it “wasn’t my idea - it was VHPA’s idea.” VHPA says it created the Hindu Heritage Month campaign in 2021.
VHPA founder Mahesh Mehta was an RSS pracharak; VHPA’s own publication says he founded the organization after discussions and guidance from RSS chief M.S. Golwalkar.
The RSS itself describes Vishwa Hindu Parishad as an “RSS-inspired” organization.
So an advocacy campaign with RSS/VHP lineage succeeded in layering a new permanent cultural designation over a month Ohio had dedicated to breast-cancer awareness for 27 years.
They didn’t select a day, a week wasn’t enough, they claimed the entire month.
How many longstanding American civic traditions will get rewritten before anyone bothers to ask who is doing the rewriting?
Wake up America.
And for all of you who have lost a loved one to breast cancer: you’re allowed to be angry that a month built around awareness, screening, survival and remembrance was treated like it was something to claim.
As the 1st Hindu State Senator in Ohio history, I’m excited to celebrate October as Hindu Heritage Month! I was honored to be able to pass this into law, making Ohio the only state in the nation with this in permanent law. Hindus in Ohio are an integral part of the fabric of our beautiful state! READ: