In A First In US, Hindu-Americans To Hold Summit Tomorrow

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's crucial visit to the United States, a group of eminent Indian-Americans from across the host country have come together to hold the first-ever "Hindu-American Summit for Political Engagement" at the US Capitol tomorrow, June 14, 2023.

The event will be addressed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and attended by about 130 distinguished Indian-American leaders representing 20 Hindu and other diaspora organisations. Being organised by the recently formed Americans4Hindus Political Action Committee (PAC), the summit is going to raise the concerns of the Hindu community before the lawmakers.

"Politically, we think, we've never been discriminated against, we are doing well. But unfortunately, tides are changing. I'm from California, where unfortunately, they want to add caste to the discriminating factors," said Dr Romesh Japra, a noted cardiologist.

He is obviously pointing towards the development wherein the Seattle City Council in February this year passed Council member Kshama Sawant's sponsored motion to designate 'caste' as a protected category under the city's non-discrimination policy. With this, Seattle became the first city in the US to recognise 'caste' as a factor in discrimination. Hindu organisations and leaders warned that it would subject the community to further legal scrutiny.

Dr Japra pointed out that organisations like Equality Labs and CARE are trying to dismantle Hinduism. "They are behind many of these things (anti-Hindu activities). So, we thought we should get together, unite all the Hindu-Americans, all the leaders, all the executive heads of the organisations, and get here on the Capitol Hill, come to the powerhouses, the Congress and put our case forward," he explained.

Dr Japra is an eminent Indian-American personality in the community of California. The other Indian-American leaders participating in the event hail from Florida, New York, Boston, Texas, Chicago and California.

Apart from McCarthy, several other Congressional leaders -- both from the Democratic and the Republican side -- are expected to address the summit. Hindu-Americans are doing well across the country, but are lagging behind in politics, admitted Speaker McCarthy, who is going to be the keynote speaker at the event.

According to Dr Japra, the community is moving towards formation of the first ever "Hindu Caucus", a group of lawmakers with the idea to protect the interests of Hindu-Americans in the House of Representatives. "We are trying to put together the Hindu Caucus, where we will ask all these congressional leaders, Senators and Representatives to become part of our caucus," he added.

He implied that the community will gather funds for the Congressional leaders who support Hindu values and principles, want to help the community and raise voice against Hindu phobia, Hindu hate and concerns regarding immigration.

The organisations participating in the summit are American Hindu Coalition, American Hindu Federation, Americans for Equality PAC, Ekal Vidyalaya, Federation of Indian Americans, Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies, Hindu Action, Hindu Action PAC of Florida, Hindu PACR, Hindu Swyamsevak Sangha, Hindu University of America, Kashmir Hindu Foundation, Patriot America, Sewa International, US-India Relationship Council and World Hindu Council of America.

American4Hindus PAC has endorsed and funded candidates who won in the 2020 and 2022 elections, including Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Devin Nunes, Darryll Issa, Troy Nehl, Pat Fallon, Dr Rich McCormick, Kim Young, Gregory Meeks, Michelle Steele and Linda Sanchez.

The organisation intends to increase awareness about Hinduism and advocate for it while also recognising the Hindu community's contributions to America. It also aims to tackle the concerns of the Hindu community, such as Hindu hatred, Hinduphobia, immigration, education, the genocide of Bangladeshi Hindus and Kashmiri Pandits, as well as Indo-US relations.