TOI correspondent from US: Indian Americans have traditionally supported the Democrats but since 2016, when Donald Trump became President, and after the Covid pandemic, there has been a big change in the mindset among many members of the community and an increasing number are moving towards the Republicans as well, feels Dr Srilekha Reddy Palle, a healthcare executive in the Washington DC area who is also political director of American Hindu Coalition , an organisation that advocates for Hindu Americans, and chair of the Virginia Asian advisory board.
“Some of the reasons for Democrats losing favour among the Indian American community are their support for affirmative action in the education sector and over-use of the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion ( DEI ) in employment. Many of us immigrated to the US because we were attracted by the culture of meritocracy and preferred it over socialism that was prevalent in India. But affirmative action has hit many Indians professionals,” says Palle, who is a consultant specialising in healthcare and political consulting.
She adds that for the thousands of Indian Americans, who run small businesses in the US, the Republicans and Trump are seen to be campaigning for more tax-friendly policies. “While there seems to be a bigger support among Indian American men for Trump; many women from our community are supporting Harris on the issue of reproductive rights,” Palle says.
She adds that American Hindu Coalition does not endorse any one of the Presidential candidates over the other and looks forward to working with the administration that will be elected democratically. “The issues that are important for all of us, including Indian Americans, in this election include unemployment, tackling high crime rates, gas prices and illegal immigration. Going forward, whoever wins the elections tomorrow, our organisation will continue to push for the rights of Hindus in America and advocate for our community in schools, colleges and workplaces,” Palle said.
“Some of the reasons for Democrats losing favour among the Indian American community are their support for affirmative action in the education sector and over-use of the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion ( DEI ) in employment. Many of us immigrated to the US because we were attracted by the culture of meritocracy and preferred it over socialism that was prevalent in India. But affirmative action has hit many Indians professionals,” says Palle, who is a consultant specialising in healthcare and political consulting.
She adds that for the thousands of Indian Americans, who run small businesses in the US, the Republicans and Trump are seen to be campaigning for more tax-friendly policies. “While there seems to be a bigger support among Indian American men for Trump; many women from our community are supporting Harris on the issue of reproductive rights,” Palle says.
She adds that American Hindu Coalition does not endorse any one of the Presidential candidates over the other and looks forward to working with the administration that will be elected democratically. “The issues that are important for all of us, including Indian Americans, in this election include unemployment, tackling high crime rates, gas prices and illegal immigration. Going forward, whoever wins the elections tomorrow, our organisation will continue to push for the rights of Hindus in America and advocate for our community in schools, colleges and workplaces,” Palle said.
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