April 26, 2019
HOUSTON, TX, USA—
As US Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) joined the first presidential forum of the 2020 election, a protest was held for a second time in a month by demonstrators disturbed by her ties to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
‘Tulsi, Mascot of India’s KKK,’ declared signs held by approximately 30 demonstrators outside the She the People forum hosted on the campus of Southern Texas University (TSU) in Houston, Texas. The diverse group included Indian-Americans from Buddhist, Muslim, and Sikh backgrounds, as well as African-Americans.
Gabbard, one of eight presidential candidates participating in the forum, was the only one faced a protest.
TSU is the largest historically black university in Texas, and the forum focused on issues affecting women of color. “Women of color are expecting to be represented here today,” said demonstrator Jada Bernard. “But the only thing that Tulsi Gabbard represents is the people that are financially backing her, which is the RSS.”
The RSS is accused of engaging in organized violence against India’s religious minorities as well as Dalits
Other candidates attending the She the People forum included Senator Cory Booker, Former Secretary Julián Castro, Senator Kamala Harris, Senator Amy Klobuchar, former Congressman Beto O’Rourke, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Senator Elizabeth Warren.
The demonstration outside caught the attention of Harris at one point. “Tulsi, Tulsi’s Got to Go,” chanted demonstrators as the senator from California walked by.
Inside the forum, Gabbard was asked about how she would work to protect the civil rights of Muslims if elected president. “All of must stand up and condemn this hatred, and bigotry, and violence, whether it be based on religious reasons, or the color of your skin, or your ethnicity, or where you come from,” she said. “We have to speak with one voice to condemn this bigotry. To make it so it is not okay, whether it be a slur or, worse yet, an act of violence.”
“We had hoped that Tulsi Gabbard would prove to be the peace president that Americans are yearning for,” says Arvin Valmuci, a spokesperson for U.S.-based Organization for Minorities of India (OFMI). “But how can we trust that Tulsi stands for peace when she celebrates religious nationalists who commit acts of violence in India? She cannot sincerely condemn bigotry when she collaborates with American affiliates of RSS and BJP who organize her campaign financing.
Just one of many examples is the BJP victory party Tulsi attended in 2014.”
At the Houston forum, Gabbard was asked about Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. “I think Russia, what was done, as well as any other country that seeks to interfere in our democracy and in our elections, is unacceptable, and it has to be taken seriously for the threat that it provides,” she answered.
Gabbard previously faced protest at a May 30 town hall event in Los Angeles, California.
