US Republicans Launch Congressional Hindu Caucus in Washington DC
- Posted on November 17, 2023
- International Affairs
- By Arijit Dutta
- 280 Views
In a significant move, US Republicans unveiled the Congressional Hindu Caucus in Washington, DC, on November 15, aiming to represent the interests of the Hindu-American community. This initiative follows Democrat Shrinivas Thanedar's launch of a similar caucus embracing Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain Americans in September.
US Republicans established the Congressional Hindu Caucus to address Hindu-American community concerns in Washington, DC. At
the inauguration event held at Hyatt Regency, Shalabh "Shalli" Kumar,
the Policy Advisor of the Congressional Hindu Caucus, expressed gratitude to
Chairwoman Elise Stefanik and Congressman Pete Sessions. Kumar acknowledged the
caucus members' commitment and highlighted President Trump's recognition of the
Hindu community during his 2016 campaign.
Kumar
shared Trump's endorsement of the caucus at last year's Diwali celebration,
emphasizing the importance of Hindu contributions. The caucus boasts over 150
members of the US House of Representatives, demonstrating a commitment to
legislate and pass resolutions vital to the Hindu-American community.
Addressing
the audience, Kumar clarified the meaning of Hinduism, emphasizing it as a way
of life and culture, not just a religion. He traced the term "Hindu"
back to the Sindhu River, fostering a civilization over 10,000 years old.
Hinduism's principles align with universal ethics, promoting questioning and
debate and fostering a tolerant and secular community.
Highlighting Hindu Americans' achievements, Kumar showcased their success in various fields, including education, technology, and entrepreneurship. He underscored the community's law-abiding nature and significant contribution to taxes.
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Kumar
urged the caucus to focus on four guiding principles: free enterprise in
material and spiritual realms, fiscal discipline, strong family values, and a
firm foreign policy against radical forces.
Moreover,
he emphasized the need for legislative action against Hinduphobic resolutions,
encouraging education on Hindu contributions in public schools. Kumar concluded
by addressing the CCP threat, advocating for substantial tariffs on Chinese
imports to counter their economic influence.
In essence, the launch of the Congressional Hindu Caucus marks a milestone in advocating for Hindu-American interests, contributing to the diversity of perspectives in US politics.