'Anti-Hindu, anti-desi hate': Indian-American lawmakers urge diaspora to enter politics

Indian-American lawmakers in US urge diaspora to enter politics (ANI)

NEW DELHI: Indian-American lawmakers in the US urged the diaspora to join politics to tackle the rise of "anti-Hindu, anti-Indian, anti-Desi hate”.Speaking at an event on Capitol Hill hosted by the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) on Tuesday, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said Indian-Americans, despite being one of the most educated and economically successful communities in the United States, are confronting a new set of challenges. "There is the rise of anti-Hindu, anti-Indian, anti-Desi hate,” news agency PTI quoted Krishnamoorthi saying. “It's time to get more involved than you've ever been. You have to raise your voice. You have to speak up. You have to show up. You have to make sure that your voices are heard everywhere,” he added.He urged Indian-Americans to seek elected office at every level of government, regardless of their political party affiliation. "I want you to think about running for office, whether it's city council. I don't care if you're a Republican, Democrat, or Independent. I don't care who you are. There's an old saying in Washington DC, if you don't have a seat at the table, you're on the menu. And none of you can afford to be on the menu, nor can our families, nor can our interests," he said. “I want you to consider running for city council. I want you to consider running for state house or state senate or for the US Congress, although not in my congressional district.

But consider running for office and making sure your voice is heard,” Krishnamoorthi added.Several US lawmakers, including Congressman Shri Thanedar, Senator Roger Marshall and other Democratic representatives, voiced support for the Indian-American community, addressing concerns ranging from rising anti-immigrant sentiment and immigration challenges to green card backlogs, while also underscoring the importance of strengthening US-India ties. The Indian-American community, estimated at 5.2 million people as of 2023 as per the US Census Bureau, is among the fastest-growing and most influential ethnic groups in the United States, with increasing representation in business, academia and public service.