Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump issued a sharp rebuke of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Diwali, pointing to his concerns regarding their handling of issues related to Hindus worldwide. Criticizing what he calls the administration's neglation of Hindu communities in the United States and around the world-especially amid the rising spate of violence in Bangladesh-Donald Trump took a shot at the Biden Administration in a post on X.
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.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2024
It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the…
Trump described this as "barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities" in Bangladesh as he stated his condemnation. "This kind of unrest would never have happened under my watch,” Trump declared. He said he was ready to defend Hindu Americans from what he called "the anti-religion agenda of the radical left," promising to deepen American-Indian relations if he wins the presidential election on November 5. "We will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength! Trump declared.
"Happy Diwali to All" - Trump's Message for unification
Trump went ahead to extend Diwali greetings "Happy Diwali to All. I hope the Festival of Lights leads to the Victory of Good over Evil!" he wrote, underlining his vision for a united, strong America and promising greater support for Hindu Americans if he returns to office.
This was Trump's first response to the recent commotion in Bangladesh in which protests for public service jobs quotas initially turned intense and became one of the severest since Bangladesh gained its independence in 1971. The violence has taken 700 plus lives; injured thousands; and even destroyed properties worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
The escalation led Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina into exile and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed as interim leader.
Since Hasina took leave, attacks on Hindus have started pouring into Bangladesh like waves. Businesses, homes, and temples have all fallen victim. The Bangladeshi population is 170 million of which about 8% are Hindus. Trump’s comments now come when minorities in this region have been causing an international appeal. In his Diwali message, Trump pledged to advance an active agenda on religious freedom and security and promised to respond to all anti-religious agendas by boosting support for the Hindu community in the United States.