New Delhi: A group of eminent Indian Americans from across the United States of America has come together to host the Hindu-American Summit for Political Involvement at the Capitol, the first of its kind on June 14, 2023. Along with other prominent personalities, the summit was to be addressed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Hindu-American summit in the Capitol: important things to know
- The summit is being organized by the recently formed Americans4Hindus political action committee in conjunction with more than 20 other diaspora organizations. The purpose of the summit is to raise the concerns of the Hindu community with U.S. lawmakers.
- About 130 Indian-American leaders from across the country – Florida, New York, Boston, Texas, Chicago and California – representing 20 Hindu and Indian organizations are coming to the US capital for the event.
- “Politically, we think, we have never been discriminated against, we are doing well. But unfortunately the tides are changing. I am from California where unfortunately, now on the basis of caste, they want to add this to the discriminatory factors,” said cardiologist Dr. Romesh Japra on Saturday. He claimed that organizations like Equality Labs and CARE are trying to dismantle Hinduism. “They are behind many (anti-Hindu activities) of these things. So we thought we should get together, unite all the Hindu Americans, all the leaders, all the executive heads of the organizations, and come here on the Capitol Hill, to the powerhouses, come to Congress and put our case forward, he said in response to a question.
- According to Dr. Japra, along with McCarthy, several other congressional leaders, both from the Democratic and Republican sides, are expected to address the summit. McCarthy, he said, would deliver the keynote address. Prominent among them include Indian American legislators.
- Dr. Japra said the community is working to create the first-ever Hindu Caucus — a group of lawmakers working 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 be a part of our caucus,” he said.
- The community, he said, would support and fund those congressional leaders who agree with Hindu principles and values and who are willing to help the community and talk about Hindu phobia, Hindu hatred and concerns about immigration.
- Among the organizations participating in this Hindu American 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.