Constant coverage by media outlets has given us a general idea of what a Pro-Trump event looks like: an endless sea of beige-faced supporters is generally whipped into a frenzy by a succession of "Mad Men"-looking men on top of a red, white, and blue stage until Donald Trump himself appears to address the crowd and say something controversial.
But on Saturday night, the latest engagement to feature Trump had a markedly different feel. At the Humanity United Against Terror event held by the Republican Hindu Coalition in New Jersey, a more diverse range of guests were treated to Bollywood celebrity dance numbers and elaborate performances, as well as the typical gaffe-filled speech. These unsurprising blunders aside, the entire night seemed absolutely absurd to the outside world as many people, particularly Hindus, wondered "How is it possible to be Pro-Trump and Hindu?"
As someone who was raised Hindu, it's hard for me not to have strong feelings about this. But what's important to remember is that it's never possible to characterize entire groups of people with broad brushstrokes, even if we think we know all there is about them. Especially given the way we think of religion as something that is self-identified and not based on some objective test, it is entirely believable that someone who considers themselves Hindu can also rally behind Donald Trump. This being said, there may a couple of explanations as to how something as paradoxical as being a "Hindu for Trump" can be popular enough to warrant a charity event.
The basis for being a "Hindu for Trump" hinges on the idea that being anti-Muslim is a central pillar of being Hindu. This was shown Saturday night through the performance where Indian dancers were attacked by light-saber wielding terrorists only to be saved by the U.S. Army. In the end, the dancers expressed their gratitude to their saviors with the pledge of allegiance. While it's true that anti-Muslim sentiment does remain a large problem in some Hindu communities, particularly in India, this is an example of a cultural notion being conflated with religious creed. To support a candidate because of their proposed discrimination towards another group of people runs counter to the fundamental Hindu belief in religious tolerance.
Additionally, Hindus in America may be leveraging their support for Trump as a means of making their "American-ness" more visible. The truth is that the vast majority of Hindus in America are either immigrants or the children of immigrants, and while he may have come close multiple times, Donald Trump is yet to directly insult Hindus. Furthermore, Indian Americans, which make up the largest portion of Hindus in America, have recently become the most affluent ethnic group in the United States. This monetary success, combined with the status of "model minority", make it seem as if Hindus on the whole have "made it" in America. They have become the "ideal" American that other minority groups should strive to become. As such, there is nothing more American than raising money for Donald Trump without fear of the consequences.
While Trump may have been able to win over members of the Republican Hindu Coalition, it's refreshing to see the public rejection of Trump by Hindus both in America and abroad following Saturday night's event. Despite his appeal to some people's ideas of what it means to be a Hindu in America, the vast majority of Hindus recognize that Trump does not embody their same values that have been passed down for millennia. And hopefully, regardless of the outcome of next month's election, these Hindus that recognized the incompatibility of their faith with Trump's campaign will pass down those values for generations to come.
