Americans are gorged with an immense sense of elation and satisfaction, as Trump goes about fulfilling his campaign promises, banning Muslims, foreigners and immigrants and has mixed with trepidation, as he humiliates world leaders with impunity, shows scant regard for diplomacy and seems bent on breaking established government norms, everything from the Johnson Amendment which prohibited churches from espousing politics, banking legislation Dodd Frank, to bullying companies and countries with the threat of a 20% tax surcharge on imports, and economic sanctions.
Fake immigration news scare Indian Americans
President Trump is only doing what he said he would do during the campaign trail. He carries on his almost autocratic rule through the Executive Actions that has incensed people around the world and has seen a vigorous rise of feminist marches and demonstrations, criticism by leaders like Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel at the EU Summit in Malta, barring of US wrestlers by Iran, the message of ‘America First’ is resonating loud and clearly.
Indian-Americans, and Indian nationals in the US, as all these issues swirl forming dense patterns, the vital question that’s looming large is: Am I a ‘winner’ or a ‘loser, as in Trump parlance. That translates to ‘Are you going to be allowed to live in the US peacefully and thrive’? or ‘Are you going to live in the US, albeit in misery and fearful of being sent back home at a moment’s notice’?
The IndianAmerican community is troubled because there seems to be no bridge to Trump, to address their woes and misgivings and to make the administration understand that their contribution to American society needs more recognition, not diminishment.
Indian American Siddhartha Mukherjee in prestigious British prize longlist
Barring one Republican Party donor, the Illinois-based entrepreneur Shalabh ‘Shalli’ Kumar, who is also the founder of the Republican Hindu Coalition with ties to the administration, there’s no political or social entity who can take this message forward. Kumar himself faces plenty of opposition for his support to Trump and thinly veiled disgust for radical Islamic terrorism including, from all the five Indian-American legislators on Capitol Hill.
Organized Indian-American and Diaspora organizations, like the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), and the India Caucus in the House and Senate need to step up to meet the challenges posed by the Trump administration. They all need to speak with unison and approach Trump on the need to protect the interest of Indians living in America.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi should step up interaction with Trump and his administration. A delegation of Indian officials had earlier met with Trump confidante Newt Gingrich, on Capitol Hill, courtesy of Kumar. It’s time Modi intervenes and try to protect the Diaspora he loves so much and champions as ‘Ambassadors of India’. Indian-Americans, like other colored immigrants, continue to careen at frightening speed on the roller coaster ride set in motion by Trump.
By Premji
