Trump uses Diwali message to attack Harris and pledges to protect Hindus

In a social media post directly to Hindu voters, the Republican nominee said he will strengthen ties with Hindu-nationalist Modi

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A Diwali celebration in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Thursday evening. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:12am, 1 Nov 2024Updated: 5:14pm, 1 Nov 2024

Donald Trump capitalised on Diwali, the multicultural festival of lights celebrated mainly in the Indian subcontinent, to criticise his half-Indian opponent Kamala Harris, while pledging to protect Hindus worldwide if re-elected to the White House.

“I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against the Hindus, Christians and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh,” the former US president said in a Diwali message posted on his official Truth Social account on Thursday – just days before the November 5 election.

Bangladesh has been making headlines for months because of student-led protests that resulted in more than 400 deaths. The turmoil caused the government to fall, prompting the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, to flee to India on August 5.

After an initially celebratory mood, the situation in Bangladesh escalated into violence, with rioters targeting members of her ruling Awami League party, which consists of both Hindus and Muslims.

While there have been reports on the ground showing that the violence and looting has affected Hindus, some far-right influencers in neighbouring India have shared false videos and information, distorting the situation.

Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, claimed that the violence would have “never happened” on his watch. He accused Democratic rival Harris and US President Joe Biden of ignoring “Hindus across the world and in America”.