US schoolgirl Mira Trivedi: Meet the Indian-origin New Jersey teen campaigning to stop schools from calling Hitler's symbol a 'swastika'

For New Jersey teenager Mira Trivedi, the swastika has always been a sacred symbol associated with prayers, festivals and auspicious beginnings. But a classroom lesson on the Holocaust changed her perspective on how the symbol is understood in the United States and prompted her to begin campaigning for a distinction between the Hindu swastika and the Nazi Hakenkreuz.

Now a Year 10 student, Mira is leading efforts to encourage schools to use historically accurate terminology when teaching about Nazi Germany. She says the change is important not only for historical accuracy but also to prevent misunderstandings about Hinduism and other faiths that have used the swastika for centuries.

Classroom lesson sparked campaign

Mira recalls that while studying the Holocaust in Year 8, her teacher referred to Adolf Hitler's emblem simply as the "swastika". Although she had always known that the Nazi symbol differed from the sacred Hindu symbol, hearing the term used in class prompted her to speak up.


She approached her teacher after the lesson to explain that the two symbols were different and should not be described using the same name.

"The teacher told me, 'You know, Mira, a lot of students came to me and pointed it out. But I don't see the need to change it," Mira said.

The response convinced her that broader awareness was needed beyond a single classroom.

'If we don't speak up, who will?'

Since then, Mira has continued her campaign with the support of other Hindu and Buddhist students. She is also associated with the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), which has advocated for distinguishing the Nazi Hakenkreuz from the ancient swastika in educational materials.

Despite receiving criticism from some classmates, Mira says she remains committed to the cause.

"But my point is that if we don't speak up for our sacred symbols, then who will? One day, our religious symbol will be taken away, and they will put us in jail for using that symbol," Mira said.

She added that some of her peers questioned why she was pursuing the issue, but she believes preserving the identity of a sacred religious symbol is essential.

Parents helped gather historical evidence

Mira credits her parents, both born in India, for supporting her efforts throughout the campaign.

Her father helped compile historical references explaining the distinction between the Hindu swastika and Hitler's Hakenkreuz. He also shared family photographs showing the swastika being used during traditional religious ceremonies, which Mira submitted to school authorities as part of her representation.

"My father helped me get together all the links on the difference between the swastika and Hitler's Hakenkreuz. He sent me the photographs from our family albums, where we drew a 'swastika' as I was mailing those to the school authorities," she said.

Appeal reaches district authorities

According to Mira, several teachers acknowledged the distinction between the two symbols and were sympathetic to her concerns. However, they said changes to curriculum terminology would need to come from district-level authorities.

Following their advice, Mira prepared a presentation outlining the historical and cultural differences between the symbols and presented it to district officials. She is now awaiting a decision on whether the terminology used in educational materials will be revised.

Concerns over stereotypes and discrimination

Mira says her campaign is also about addressing misconceptions that can contribute to prejudice against Hindus.

She recalled experiencing subtle bullying over her faith, including comments about Hindu beliefs and deities.

"I faced subtle bullying because of my religion, because Hindus worship cows and Ganesha, known as the Elephant God, but this has to end now."

She believes greater awareness and accurate representation of religious symbols can help reduce stereotypes and encourage better understanding among students from different backgrounds.


Inputs from TOI