Indian-origin US Congressmen Shri Thanedar and Raja Krishnamoorthi vowed to push back against anti-India and anti-immigrant hatred in the United States, urging Indian-Americans to play a bigger role in public life by contesting elections at all levels.The Democratic lawmakers made the remarks during an event in Washington marking the 250th anniversary of US Independence, organised by the Indian American Committee.Both said the Indian-American community has become an integral part of American society and should be more strongly represented in politics.Thanedar, who represents Michigan, said the US has always been a nation of immigrants and warned against growing hostility towards immigrant communities.
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“The hate that we have seen across America against immigrants must not be tolerated,” Thanedar was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.“We must demand that immigrants, their culture and their contribution to this great country be honoured and respected every day,” he said.Calling for greater political participation, Thanedar said the community could bring about change only by entering public service.“We need to see more Indian Americans in our political arena serving at various levels — local, state and national,” he said.
‘We are here to stay’
Krishnamoorthi, the Illinois Congressman, said Indian-Americans would continue to stand up against anti-India and anti-Hindu hatred.Recalling an incident in which he faced calls to be deported to India, he declared, “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.”He added that the fight would extend beyond anti-India sentiment.“We’re going to fight back against anti-Indian hatred. We’re going to fight back against anti-Hindu hatred. We’re going to fight back against all forms of prejudice, bigotry and discrimination toward anybody,” he said.Krishnamoorthi, who lost the Democratic primary for the US Senate from Illinois earlier this year, said Indian-Americans are among the country’s best-educated and most prosperous communities.He noted that they make up around 10 per cent of US doctors and own about 60 per cent of hotels and motels in the country.He urged members of the diaspora to contest elections for city councils, state legislatures, the US House of Representatives and the Senate, irrespective of party affiliation.“I don’t care if you’re a Republican, independent or Democrat. It’s time to run because the stakes could not be higher. We are being tested,” he said.Krishnamoorthi’s remarks come days after he warned of what he described as a rise in anti-India hate incidents in the US.In a post on X earlier this week, he cited an incident in Frisco, Texas, where a group of alleged white supremacists gathered outside City Hall, displayed anti-India messages and tore an Indian flag.According to the Congressman, the group shouted slogans including “Go back to India” and “Stop the Hindu takeover of Texas.”Calling for unity against hate, Krishnamoorthi said discrimination should be opposed regardless of who is targeted.His comments came amid wider concerns over racism, anti-immigrant rhetoric and hate targeting minority communities in the United States.
