US lawmaker says will highlight Hindu persecution in South Asia

A DEMOCRATIC lawmaker, who is set to become the new face of the party in the postelection debacle, has pledged to highlight the persecution of Hindus in South Asia. Congressman Keith Ellison, a top candidate for the Democratic National Committee chairman, made the commitment in a letter to the Hinduamericanfoundationdaysafterheparticipated in a conference call with Hindu leaders from across the country to listen to their concerns and answer their questions.

He said he will ensure renewed outreach to the Hindu and Indian-american communities to foster their greater participation.“i also pledge to highlight the persecution of Hindu minority communities throughout South Asia. If elected DNC chair, I will ensure renewed outreach to the Hindu and Indianamerican communities to foster greater participation and more well-deserved and much-valued representation in the Democratic Party,” Ellison said in a letter dated December 16, which was released to the press Friday, to Suhag Shukla of the Hindu American Foundation.

The conference call on December 12, among others was joined by Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and representatives of nearly 30 Hindu and Indian American groups. The call covered a wide range of concerns ranging from Ellison’s focus on South Asia that many felt ignored the concerns of Hindus where they are minorities, to whether he would constructively engage the Indian government to promote bilateral ties.

Responding to a question during the call regarding his focus on the Gujarat riots of 2002 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was governing the state, Ellison said he viewed the issue as a “closed matter” since the Indian Supreme Court has issued its ruling.