In the late 1980s, the Asian Indian community in Jersey City faced a terrifying wave of racial violence from a hate group known as the “Dotbusters”. After brutal assaults left victims like Kaushal Saran brain-damaged and Navroze Mody dead, a coalition of college students formed Indian Youth Against Racism (IYAR) to demand justice. Despite facing apathy from authorities and ostracism from some community elders, these young advocates organized demonstrations, documented the violence, and supported victims’ families. Crucially, their tireless lobbying successfully pressured the New Jersey Legislature to pass a bill establishing stricter, mandatory penalties for hate and bias crimes, leaving a lasting legislative impact.
