Washington DC: Some ‘Indian Americans’ organizations and individuals are trying to switch to identifying themselves as ‘Hindu Americans’ and plan to announce the rebranded entity as a political force at a ‘summit’ on Capitol Hill, in late September.
Titled ‘Hindu American Summit for Political Engagement’, the event will see the leadership of the “spirited American Hindu community discussing to actively engage in the US political system”, according to a flyer circulated by the organizers that also serves as an invitation.
Experts believe that these are efforts to organize the Hindu community along the lines of the Jewish American minority as both groups wield enormous political clout, with both Republicans and Democrats. The Jewish American community is well known for its clout and also supports Israel in most of its actions in the Middle East. The Indian diaspora also feels the need to assert their ‘Americanness’ while being still attached to their country of origin, by religion now and not politics, they say.
The summit is being organized by ‘Americans 4 Hindus’ and the ‘American Hindus Coalition’, and is expected to be attended by representatives of the ‘Hindu American PAC’ (political action committee); Hindus of Georgia PAC, Hindu PACT; Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America; Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh of America and few others.
