Trenton, NJ: With backing from the Hindu American Foundation, New Jersey Senator Vin Gopal and Assemblywoman Margie Donlon have introduced joint resolutions in the state Senate and Assembly to recognize Sanskrit as one of the world’s significant languages.
The measures, SJR167 and AJR230, highlight Sanskrit’s distinctive origins and its reputation as one of the most systematic and technically sophisticated languages. The resolutions note that Sanskrit has an extensive vocabulary—estimated at more than 100,000 words—and has had a broad influence on global languages, culture, and intellectual traditions.
Lawmakers cited Sanskrit’s structured grammar, relevance in computational linguistics and algorithm development, and its capacity to convey complex philosophical concepts. The resolutions also point to the language’s more than 2,500 years of literary heritage, encompassing poetry, philosophy, and religious texts central to Hindu traditions.
The proposal also acknowledges New Jersey’s growing Hindu population and the cultural contributions of the community. It references the Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir, Robinsville, described as the largest Hindu temple in the United States and one of the largest in the world, built in accordance with traditional Hindu scriptures. As the foundational language of Hindu religious and philosophical traditions, Sanskrit continues to hold spiritual and cultural significance.
Senator Gopal, who serves as Senate Majority Whip and chair of the Senate Education Committee, represents multiple municipalities in Monmouth County and has held several leadership roles within the Democratic caucus.
If adopted, the resolutions would symbolically recognize Sanskrit’s historical, cultural, and academic importance at a state level.
