Fight Anti-India Hatred by Joining Public Life, US Lawmakers Tell Indian Americans

Indian origin US Congressmen Shri Thanedar and Raja Krishnamoorthi urged Indian Americans to enter public life and contest elections, saying stronger political representation is the best way to counter rising anti India, anti immigrant and anti Hindu hatred in the United States.

Speaking at the Indian American Committee's celebration marking the 250th anniversary of US Independence in Washington on Saturday, Michigan Democrat Thanedar said the US is "a country of immigrants" and warned that hostility towards immigrants and their cultures must not be tolerated.

"We must demand that immigrants, their culture and their contribution to this great country be honoured and respected every day," Thanedar said, adding that more Indian Americans should serve at the local, state and national levels to help shape public policy.

Illinois Congressman Krishnamoorthi echoed the call, declaring: "We are here to stay. We are part of the fabric of this country. And on America's 250th birthday, we are going to fight back."

Referring to racist calls demanding his deportation to India during his unsuccessful Democratic primary campaign for the US Senate earlier this year, he vowed to fight "anti Indian hatred, anti Hindu hatred and all forms of prejudice, bigotry and discrimination."

Krishnamoorthi said Indian Americans are among the country's best educated and most prosperous communities, accounting for about 10 per cent of US doctors and owning nearly 60 per cent of hotels and motels. He urged members of the diaspora, regardless of political affiliation, to contest elections for city councils, state legislatures and Congress, saying, "The stakes could not be higher. We are being tested."

The event was organised by the Indian American Committee led by Narasimha Koppula, Ramesh Kapur, Deepak Raj, Shekhar Tiwari and Harsh Sethi. Their remarks come weeks after several Indian American members of Congress jointly condemned an anti India demonstration in Texas and called for stronger action against hate targeting the community.