On Diwali, Donald Trump put out a message saying he would support Hindus, becoming the first major US politician to speak up against the atrocities against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. He also promised to protect Hindu Americas against ‘anti-religion agenda of the radical left’ and strengthen relations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He wrote: “I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos. It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America. They have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own Southern Border, but we will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength! “
He added: “We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi. Kamala Harris will destroy your small businesses with more regulations and higher taxes. By contrast, I cut taxes, cut regulations, unleashed American energy, and built the greatest economy in history. We will do it again, bigger and better than ever before—and we will Make America Great Again. Also, Happy Diwali to All. I hope the Festival of Lights leads to the Victory of Good over Evil!”
Comments on social media warmly praised Donald Trump’s recent statements regarding the Hindu community in Bangladesh, highlighting his rare willingness to bring attention to an issue often neglected on the global stage.
Many expressed gratitude for Trump’s acknowledgment of the struggles faced by Hindus in Bangladesh, viewing his remarks as a significant gesture from a Western leader. By addressing the situation, Trump is seen by his supporters as championing minority rights worldwide, a cause they believe many political figures overlook.
Commenters also admired his courage in tackling a sensitive issue tied to religious and ethnic persecution, noting that such statements carry diplomatic weight and are seldom made by leaders who prefer to avoid complex international conflicts. Some users connected Trump’s advocacy to his strong ties with India and the Indian diaspora, interpreting his comments as a sign of continued support for Hindu communities and a reinforcement of the US-India relationship. There is a shared hope that Trump’s statements will catalyse greater awareness and global intervention, helping to shed light on the challenges faced by Hindus in Bangladesh and supporting a push for international action on their behalf.
What is the California caste bill and why was it vetoed?
When Donald Trump spoke about the ‘radical left agenda’ he was referring to the the ‘California caste bill’ that had been dubbed a move to discriminate against Hindus. The California caste bill, or Senate Bill 403 (SB403), was introduced by State Senator Aisha Wahab to outlaw discrimination based on caste by adding it to California’s civil rights protections. While the bill aimed to explicitly address caste discrimination — a social stratification often associated with South Asian communities — it faced significant controversy and opposition, leading to its eventual veto by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Governor Newsom’s veto was based on his view that the bill was “unnecessary” because existing civil rights laws already prevent discrimination based on race, ancestry, religion, national origin, and other protected categories. Newsom asserted that these existing protections were sufficient to address any caste-based discrimination without singling out specific communities.
The proposal of SB403 brought a heated debate within the Hindu American community. Some groups, like the Hindu American Foundation, opposed the bill, arguing that it would increase discrimination against Hindus and unfairly target the community by associating them with caste-based discrimination. They argued that caste is not inherently a part of Hinduism, and many in the South Asian diaspora have left caste-based practices behind when they moved to the United States. These opponents viewed the bill as creating unnecessary suspicion toward South Asian, especially Hindu, Americans, who they felt were being stereotyped by the association with caste. This opposition mobilized a wide range of Hindu American groups and activists who saw the bill as reinforcing negative stereotypes about Hinduism and the South Asian community.
Conversely, other Hindu groups and activists, including Hindus for Caste Equity, supported the bill. They argued that caste discrimination persists within some South Asian communities and that explicit legal protection would help address issues of bias and exclusion that can still arise. Advocates of the bill, including Equality Labs, argued that caste-based discrimination needed to be recognized and addressed explicitly to protect those who continue to face caste oppression. Some activists even held a hunger strike to encourage Newsom to sign the bill, underscoring their view of the importance of caste protections.
Despite the veto, the debate around SB403 has underscored the growing political engagement of Hindu Americans in the United States. As the Hindu American population has increased, so has its participation in the political sphere, with organizations focusing on civic engagement, advocacy, and community representation. The opposition to SB403 became a unifying moment for some in the Hindu American community, who rallied against what they saw as a potential mischaracterization of their religion and community. For others, the bill represented an opportunity to confront caste discrimination more directly.
Ultimately, Newsom’s veto has postponed, rather than resolved, the issue. Both sides of the debate have expressed a commitment to continuing their advocacy, reflecting broader questions about how immigrant communities navigate and address complex social issues in new cultural contexts. The conversation surrounding caste discrimination is likely to persist, with some seeing the veto as a victory for Hindu representation and others as a setback in the fight against caste oppression.
Attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh
Following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, Bangladesh has witnessed a significant surge in violence targeting minority communities, particularly Hindus. Incidents of vandalism, looting, and arson have spread fear and instability across affected regions, leaving many minority families devastated.
Reports reveal that in the weeks following Hasina’s departure, over two thousand incidents of violence have been recorded against Hindus in nearly half of the country’s districts. Dozens of temples have been attacked, homes have been looted or set alight, and several individuals have lost their lives amidst this wave of aggression. The damage inflicted on businesses and community structures has left families in financial ruin, compounding the challenges of securing basic safety and recovery.
The interim government, now led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has publicly condemned these attacks and expressed a commitment to protect vulnerable communities. However, many members of the minority population feel that efforts to address their safety concerns have been insufficient, with ongoing reports of targeted violence and intimidation. Calls for stronger action and effective measures to safeguard minority rights are mounting, with community leaders pushing for faster, more robust protections.
International observers have reacted to the crisis with mounting concern. Figures from around the world have expressed disapproval of the attacks, calling on Bangladesh’s government to ensure justice for the victims and protect the integrity of minority communities. Calls have also been made for a comprehensive investigation into these human rights violations, pressing for accountability for those responsible for the violence.
As the unrest continues into November, minority communities remain on edge. Local leaders have emphasised the importance of governmental action to restore a sense of safety and order. The interim administration faces mounting pressure to provide assurances of security and uphold minority rights amidst this tense period of political transition.
Trump on Modi
Amidst the US Presidential campaign’s fervour, Donald Trump made an appearance on the Flagrant Podcast, hosted by Andrew Schulz and Akaash Singh, where he shared his admiration for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a segment dedicated to Modi, Trump remarked, “Modi… India, he’s a friend of mine, he’s great. Before he took charge, they had leaders changing every year—very unstable.” Comparing Modi’s appearance to that of “your father,” Trump noted, “He’s the nicest guy, but he’s a total killer when it comes to leadership.”
Trump reminisced about the “Howdy Modi” event in Houston, describing it as “a beautiful gathering that filled up the stadium.” He recounted moments when Modi’s resolve impressed him: “We had occasions when someone was threatening India, and Modi would completely change. I offered help, saying I’m very good with these situations, but Modi was firm. He told me, ‘I will handle it; I will do anything necessary. We’ve faced this for centuries.’” Trump continued, hinting at a specific neighbouring country, saying, “You can probably guess the country, but Modi’s determination was striking. He’s incredibly sharp and a genuinely good person.”
The rapport between Trump and Modi has been visible on numerous occasions, notably during the “Howdy Modi” rally in Houston in September 2019. With over 50,000 Indian-Americans in attendance, it was a milestone in US-India relations. Both leaders took to the stage, exchanging praise and highlighting the deepening partnership between their nations. Modi called Trump a “true friend,” while Trump lauded Modi’s leadership and the contributions of the Indian diaspora to the United States.
In a reciprocal gesture, Trump visited India in February 2020 for the “Namaste Trump” event in Ahmedabad. Set in the world’s largest cricket stadium and attended by over 100,000 people, it marked Trump’s largest rally outside the US. Trump used the occasion to commend Modi’s leadership and India’s economic progress, reinforcing the shared democratic principles that underpin their bond. Most recently, Trump referred to “fantastic Modi” in the context of the Quad Summit, though the anticipated meeting didn’t take place.