Gabbard’s Pro-Hindutva Rhetoric/Policy
Gabbard’s Hindutva Ties
OFBJP Interference in Reelection
Gabbard’s support for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both before and after his initial election in 2014, are a foundational aspect of her political career:
- Opposition to Anti-Modi Resolution: In 2013, Gabbard opposed House Resolution 417, which criticized Hindu nationalist violence like the 2002 Gujarat riots that occurred under Modi’s watch as Chief Minister.
- Visa Ban Opposition: Gabbard vocally opposed the George W. Bush administration’s decision to deny Modi a visa in 2005 due to his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots. She was one of the few members of U.S. Congress who met with BJP President Rajnath Singh in 2013 when he visited the U.S. to lobby for lifting Modi’s visa ban.
- Personal Meetings: Gabbard has met with Modi at least four times. She was one of the first U.S. politicians to meet with Modi after his election as Prime Minister in 2014. In that first meeting, she gifted him her childhood copy of the Bhagavad Gita. The warmth and intimacy of her welcome of Modi — after he was banned from the U.S. for nearly 10 years — indicated that she was attempting to rehabilitate his image.
- Pro-Modi Rhetoric: Gabbard has consistently praised Modi, calling him an “indispensable partner” to the United States and pushing for enhanced cooperation between the two countries. In India, in 2015, she argued that there was a “lot of misinformation” about the Sangh’s 2002 Gujarat Massacre. In 2019, running for president, she further justified the massacre.
- Defense of Hindu Nationalism: Gabbard has argued that “Hindu nationalism” simply means “expressing pride in one’s religion.”
Gabbard’s Hindutva Financing
Gabbard’s connections to Hindu nationalist groups and figures have translated into crucial financial and political support:
Out-of-State Donations:
While serving as a U.S. representative from Hawaii, a large portion of Gabbard’s campaign contributions come from out-of-state Hindutva donors, often after keynoting Sangh Parivar events.
Fundraising Events:
Gabbard has been hosted at numerous fundraising events organized by Hindutva leaders which often generated tens of thousands of donations. These include events featuring major American Hindutva leaders like Bharat Barai, Ramesh Bhutada, and Mihir Meghani.
Campaign Donations:
According to analysis of Federal Election Commission records, at least 105 current and former officers and members of American Sangh affiliates (including the HSS, VHPA, and OFBJP), and their families, have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Gabbard’s campaigns since 2011.
Performing single-property analyses
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