Washington:
In an indication of the rising political prominence of Hindus in America, the Trump and Biden campaigns are wooing this small non secular minority group like by no means earlier than.
Hinduism is the fourth largest religion within the US, representing roughly one per cent of the US inhabitants in 2016.
Whereas the Trump marketing campaign guarantees that re-electing President Donald Trump will “scale back obstacles to spiritual freedoms” for Hindus in America, the rival Biden marketing campaign on Tuesday mentioned former vice chairman Joe Biden has made outreach to the Hindu religion group a precedence.
For the primary time in an American presidential election, the Trump Marketing campaign on August 14 introduced the formation of the “Hindu Voices for Trump.”
Two days later, distinguished Hindu chief Neelima Gonuguntla participated in an interfaith service to kick off the Democratic Nationwide Conference, which the Biden marketing campaign mentioned was one other signal of the rising political prominence of Hindus in America.
The small print of the brand new coalition of the Trump Marketing campaign to woo the Hindu-American group within the US is anticipated to be introduced throughout the Republican Nationwide Conference subsequent week.
“Hindus for Trump honours contributions by thousands and thousands of People of Hindu religion,” mentioned the marketing campaign which has taken a lead forward of the Biden marketing campaign.
“The inclusive financial system, dedication to build up US-Indian relations, and fierce assist for non secular liberties for all is unmatched. Re-electing President Trump will scale back obstacles to spiritual freedoms for Hindus in America,” asserted the Trump marketing campaign.
Biden, who on Tuesday was formally nominated because the Democratic presidential nominee, “has made outreach to the Hindu religion group a precedence,” South Asians for Biden, a political platform, mentioned.
Over the weekend, the Biden marketing campaign launched the platform for Indian-People, which addresses a number of key issues of the Hindu group.
Notably, Biden proposes stiffening penalties for hate crimes dedicated at homes of worship, similar to temples, and rising the safety grants accessible to such homes of worship. He has additionally pledged to make the prosecution of hate crimes a precedence for his Division of Justice, the marketing campaign mentioned.
“Elevated entry to the safety grants and prioritising the prosecution of hate crimes is crucial for our Hindu group,” mentioned Niki Shah, a Hindu group organiser who labored intently on Hindu initiatives for former president Barack Obama’s faith-based council.
“It was vital to have a consultant from the Hindu group as a result of we needed this interfaith service to replicate our nation’s non secular range,” mentioned Josh Dickson, Nationwide Religion Engagement Director at Biden for President, explaining inviting Gonuguntla to take part within the interfaith service.
Gonuguntla, who serves as a board member of the Chinmaya Mission Dallas Fort Price, shared verses from sacred Hindu texts, together with the Vedas and the Mahabharata.
“The participation of a Hindu-American took on added significance, provided that Senator Kamala Harris, who’s Vice President Biden’s working mate, grew up in a family that was each Hindu and Christian,” South Asians for Biden mentioned.
Biden has proven key perception into the problems affecting the Hindu group, it mentioned.
For instance, he not too long ago promised to streamline the processing of spiritual employee visas, that are relied upon by Hindu swamis and different non secular students who go to america for non secular occasions. He has additionally promised to construct an administration that displays America”s range, together with by means of the inclusion of Hindus.
The Biden marketing campaign already depends on the contributions of Hindus, who serve in a number of key roles, South Asians for Biden mentioned.
Within the November three election, Democratic presidential candidate Biden and his Indian-American working mate Harris will problem present Republican President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
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