Indian Americans from across the country have voiced their outrage over the assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump, describing it as a grim moment in American democratic history. They strongly condemned the attack on the leading Republican presidential candidate.
At an election rally in Pennsylvania, Trump, 78, was struck by a bullet in the upper part of his right ear as the suspected shooter fired multiple shots.
Dr. Bharat Barai, a prominent Indian-American community leader, expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating, “Today we learned about the attempted assassination of (former) President Trump. This is very distressing and not the type of violence expected in a democracy.”
Barai emphasized the importance of expressing political and economic differences through the ballot box rather than resorting to violence. He condemned the extreme hate that leads someone to believe that killing a political opponent is acceptable.
Jespdip Singh Jassee, chairman of Sikh Americans for Trump, echoed these sentiments, calling the incident a dark chapter in American democracy. He expressed his prayers for Trump’s safety and recovery and urged Americans to unite behind Trump. “Waheguru ji blesses Trump and America,” he said.
Ajay Bhutoria, the Democratic Party’s deputy national finance chair and a strong supporter of Joe Biden, stressed the need for a thorough investigation into all aspects of the attack. He raised the possibility of foreign involvement aiming to create discord among Americans with differing political beliefs, thereby posing a national security threat. Bhutoria reiterated that violence has no place in a democracy.
Al Mason, a New York-based real estate investor and friend of the Trump family, expressed confidence that the attack would not deter Trump from winning the presidency again. “God is with him. Trump is a fighter and will fight for America,” Mason said.
Hindus4Trump expressed their solidarity with Trump and his family, condemning the senseless violence and division. They emphasized that hate has no place in society and stated, “This is not just an attack on President Trump but an attack on Democracy in the USA!” The organization highlighted the significance of the incident given Trump’s lead in the polls and the Republican National Convention being just two days away, suggesting that those who oppose liberty, freedom, and a strong United States may be behind the attack.
Gokul Kunnath, president of the Atlanta-based United States Hindu Alliance, described the assassination attempt as a serious and sad development. “The assassination attempt on the former President today is a dark chapter in our democracy,” he stated, underscoring the gravity of the incident.
