While President Donald Trump hosted a Diwali gala at the White House and political leaders extended festive greetings to their Hindu friends and colleagues around the country, the online community behaved differently.
Former intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard and FBI Director Kash Patel faced religious abuse after posting Diwali greetings on X. Many users described the festival as “a worship of demons.”
In Seattle, a Diwali celebration was disrupted by far-right activist Jake Lang and his supporters, drawing condemnation from Indian American lawmakers.
While Diwali gains visibility and recognition in America, members of the Hindu community still face significant hostility for their beliefs.
This development calls for reflection on the freedom of worship and religion in the United States, guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits the government from establishing a national religion or interfering with people’s ability to practice their faith.
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