Upset Hindus are urging for apology from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) in Ewing for its student newspaper stating “Hinduism is an unforgiving religion”.

It was highly inappropriate and insensitive for the newspaper of a “Top Public College” funded by tax dollars and student fees (many of whom were Hindu) to belittle Hinduism, world’s oldest and third largest religion with about 1.1 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought; Hindu statesman Rajan Zed said in Nevada today.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Zakiya Smith Ellis to launch an enquiry into it; TCNJ Trustees Chair Susanne Svizeny and President Dr. Kathryn A. Foster to offer a formal apology to the Hindu community; and TCNJ to withdraw January 29 (Spring 2020 No. 1) print edition of  “The Signal” from various campus locations and remove the objectionable feature article from its online edition.

Such an unwarranted and derogatory statement against a religion coming out of a public educational institution was really shocking for the hard-working, harmonious and peaceful Hindu community; which had made lot of contributions to New Jersey, USA and society in general; and continued to do so; Rajan Zed added.

Is this how TCNJ accomplishes its Mission of developing “responsible citizens”, Vision of serving “as a national exemplar of public higher education”, Values of \”treat each other with civility and respect\” and “committed to building a diverse and inclusive community\”; Zed wonders.

Rajan Zed further said that Hindus were for free speech and artistic expression as much as anybody else if not more. But faith was something sacred and attempts at trivializing it hurt the devotees.

The feature-article, which begins with “Hinduism is an unforgiving religion”, written by \”Nation & World Editor\” of award-winning “The Signal” (among the oldest collegiate weeklies, since 1855) is dated January 27, 2020. Emmy Liederman is Editor-in-Chief.

“Highly selective” awards-winning TCNJ, on 289 tree-lined acres, enrolls about 7,400 graduate and undergraduate students and offers over 50 programs.

There are about three million Hindus in USA. New Jersey reportedly has the highest percentage of Hindus in the nation.

TRENTON NJ–The plastic bag ban bill, S864 (Smith/Greenstein), will be up in the Senate Environment and Energy Committee on Thursday, January 30, 2020. The bill prohibits the provision or sale of single-use plastic

carryout bags, single-use paper carryout bags, and polystyrene foam food service products. It also limits the provision of single-use plastic straws and appropriates moneys from the Clean Communities Program Fund for public education.

“Senator Smith is keeping his promise to help New Jersey ban plastics as soon as possible. When this bill failed to pass both houses at the end of the legislative session, Senator Smith said that this would be the first bill on his agenda and he is keeping that commitment. Without this legislation, plastics will continue to kill whales and get into our environment and into us. Microplastics have already been found near our drinking water supply, so we could literally be drinking plastic. Animals like fish and birds can ingest plastic, and plastic bags clog storm drains and fill up detention basins, affecting our water quality,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Unfortunately, this bill was stopped earlier this year when the Assembly did not vote on it. It is critical that our legislators push this bill through quickly before our plastic problem gets worse.”

This is the first bill in the country that would ban paper bags in addition to single-use plastic bags. So far, eight states have banned single-use plastic bags, including California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Oregon, and Vermont. In New Jersey, towns like Paramus, Bayonne, Lambertville, Avalon, Belmar, Hoboken, Jersey City, and Teaneck are all passing plastic bag ban ordinances.

“This is landmark legislation for New Jersey. This bill is a major step forward in dealing with single-use plastic bags as well as polystyrene and plastic straws. Polystyrene is dangerous to human health because it contains carcinogenic chemicals such as benzene and styrene, and it has been found in breast milk. It is harmful to the environment because it is not recyclable and does not degrade. Plastic straws pollute our oceans and beaches. Last year, New Jersey found that more than 80% of their trash is plastic and found an increase in plastic straw waste by 59%,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “By reducing how much plastic we use, we can also reduce fracking and fossil fuel use. Plastics are made from natural gas, which means more fossil fuel use, more pipelines, and more fracking.”

[January 29, 2020 – Longport, New Jersey] — Brigid Callahan Harrison, Democratic candidate for Congress in New Jersey\’s second congressional district, announced this morning key endorsement from State Senator Dawn Marie Addiego, representing New Jersey’s 8th legislative district; Assemblyman Adam Taliaferro, representing New Jersey’s3

rd

legislative district; Joe Derella, Cumberland County Freeholder Director.

These endorsements build on the deep diverse support Brigid has received since first announcing her campaign in late December and comes off the heels of her two most recent endorsements earlier this week from American Federation of Teachers New Jersey, which represents 30,000 education workers throughout the state and Unite Here Local 54, which has over 10,000 members working in the hotel, gaming, and food service industries in New Jersey:

The following statements may be used on the record:

State Senator Dawn Marie Addiego

“When I first met Brigid Harrison, it was immediately apparent that she was an amazing woman who cared deeply for South Jersey and the families who live here.

As any working mother will tell you, the deck is often stacked against a woman who tries to balance family and career. Yet Brigid has managed to succeed at both.  She is a great Mom who has also risen to be one of the most respected and trusted public policy minds in our state.

I am glad she calls South Jersey home and thrilled to support her for Congress.  We need someone in Washington who will put the people of South Jersey ahead of politics.”

Assemblyman Adam Taliaferro

“It’s been a month since Jeff Van Drew sold his soul to the Trump Money Machine, in order to try and save his political career, and anger at his betrayal in South Jersey remains strong.  Many in our community have come up to me personally and shared the belief that our politics have failed us, and are looking for a hopeful voice who will be a strong advocate for us in Washington.  I am endorsing Brigid Harrison for Congress because we must beat Van Drew and she is the only candidate that has the ability to bring all of us together, which we so desperately need right now. Brigid\’s qualifications to represent us, her knowledge of the issues and her leadership make her the best choice.

“We all know Brigid because she is one of us.  She knows our neighborhoods and has remained invested and involved for many years.  She is one of New Jersey’s top public policy experts and is running an amazing campaign.  It is clear she is the only candidate to beat Jeff Van Drew in the general election and I am proud to be one of many who supports her for Congress.”

Joe Derella, Cumberland County Freeholder Director

“I am supporting Brigid because, after reviewing all of the other candidates’ issues and bios, I have found that Brigid is by far the most formidable candidate for the Democratic Party. She is far ahead of anyone else in her ability to understand the concrete issues our area faces and she is capable of tackling these issues and representing our area.”

Brigid Harrison, Democratic candidate for Congress in New Jersey\’s second congressional district

“From the support of our unions to the diverse array of community and political leaders to the hugs I am receiving at events and the words of encouragement we are seeing on social media, it is clear we have created a true movement that goes far beyond anyone name.

“As we saw last night, Trump and the extreme right has a new pawn in Jeff Van Drew and south Jersey is not happy about it.  Rather than “pulling a Van Drew” and putting self-interest over the people or focusing on division and blame, our community is demanding true leadership that will get things done, bring people together, and makes bold stands.  We need a leader who will fight for strategic investments in infrastructure that fosters economic growth; creating quality, high-paying jobs; ensuring everyone has access to health care and getting corporate special interest money out of our politics.

“While I am grateful to receive this kind of support so quickly, let’s be clear, we still have a great deal of work to do. Trump has attacked me personally and Van Drew now has his Trump dollars to spend on this race.  But I promise I am always going to fight like hell and ask for every vote until Van Drew is has been defeated.”