Over 200 South Asians gathered in Washington, DC this weekend to celebrate the nine days of Navratri with a colorful Garba and Dandia event. It was a community getting together not only to celebrate the festival. But also to show support for the presidential bid of Kamala Harris.
Ajay Bhutoria, a well-known community leader, spoke at the event about his excitement to see so many people rally around Kamala Harris. “It is inspiring to see so many people come together, proudly showcasing their support for Kamala Harris for President,” Bhutoria said. He underlined the need to take action during the remaining weeks before the election. “With less than 30 days until the election, it’s time we all act. It’s time we all ‘Do Something’ to help elect Kamala Harris as our next President!”
Bhutoria called the election this November the “most important election” of our lifetime. He urged attendees to get involved in activities to get more people to vote. “We encourage everyone to help register voters, reach out to friends and family in battleground states. And consider volunteering for phone banking or other voter turnout efforts for Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz,” Bhutoria said.
He added that he would go door-to-door this weekend in Philadelphia to mobilize people to vote. “Join me to make a difference!” he told them, adding that together, their voice is more powerful in this election.
Kamala Harris is a presidential aspirant in the forthcoming election against former President Donald Trump, who has emerged from the Republican nomination. Harris was of Indian and Jamaican descent and was the first woman of color to hold this office as Vice President, the first Asian American to hold that position. She will be the first woman to assume the presidency if elected.
Bhutoria, raising the chant of the crowd, declared his support to Harris, “I will vote for Kamala! Will you too vote for Kamala Harris?” He asked all in the community to stand behind her and help her make history.
The event marked the probable impact of the South Asians community in the elections that might take place. Bhutoria emphasized how that kind of vibrant community could bring a big difference. Especially in swing states where the race is going to be very, very close. “We can be the margin of victory in the battleground states,” Bhutoria said, emphasizing that the South Asians community’s voice can elect the first Indian-American, woman of color, and woman President in U.S. history.
Emory University political science professor Zachary Peskowitz, in an interview, said the election will be extremely close. “Nobody broke above in any of the seven big swing states,” he said. “The electoral college is going to be extraordinarily close. And the popular vote is going to be very close,” Peskowitz added. He even predicted that a possible tie might occur in the Electoral College that would be decided by the U.S. House of Representatives.
Peskowitz said, that although Indian-Americans are a small fraction of the electorate. They held an important key to some swing states, such as Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. “Indian-Americans are a small but significant part of the electorates, growing in some important states. They generally lean Democratic, but they could be crucial in these battleground states,” he said.
Energy from events like the Navratri Garba and Dandia further epitomizes the investment in politics from this camp. As election day draws near, and such energy might be just what determines the 2024 presidential election.
ANI