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“Trump helped save ISKCON," says Alok Srivastava, American Hindu Coalition Director
While praising Trump for all he had done for ISKCON, including providing legal representation in New York, Srivastava was relieved that the former president had survived the recent assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Alok Srivastava / Image Courtesy: NewIndiaAbroad
Hindu American Coalition director Alok Srivastava revealed that former President Donald Trump “saved” the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a prominent religious organization known for populating the “Hare Krishna Movement.’
While praising Trump for all he had done for ISKCON, including providing legal representation in New York, Srivastava was relieved that the former president had survived the recent assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania.
In the wake of the recent attack on Trump, numerous news outlets reported that real estate mogul Donald Trump may have survived the shooting because in July 1976 he helped ISCKON with the organization of the Jagannath Yatra in New York City. The reports claimed that the organization approached Trump, who they said agreed to help them build the chariots (raths) for the procession and even offered his train yard for the same.
This prompted the organization to issue a statement clarifying the connection. “Recent posts on social and traditional media reported that in 1976, Trump provided space in a railroad yard for ISKCON to build floats or carts, for the first Jagannath Rathayatra Parade in New York City. ISKCON is very grateful that a real estate development company connected with the former president did provide that opportunity. “
They clarified further, “We are concerned, however, that media accounts have been exaggerated. For example, ISKCON did not directly approach Trump or bring him prasada (sanctified foods). Nor do we wish to speculate on why or how he was recently saved from more serious harm.”
Trump’s presidency good for India
Given Trump's cordial relationship with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Srivastava speculated that his presence in the Oval Office could be an indication of progress in US-India relations.
“President Trump is also close to India. He visited India. So he knows about the issues with India, India's economic power. He has a very friendly relationship with Modi. So this election is very, very important and we look forward to the outcome of that,” he said.
Further, Srivastava highlighted that Trump has the support of many Indian Americans in this election cycle due to his stance on several issues that the community considers important such as inflation and the rise in illegal immigration.
“There are people crossing the southern border and there are lot of people, especially of Indian origin, families on H1 visa are waiting for years and years and nothing happening to them. So our Indian community is very concerned with the party who is going to tackle the immigration,” Srivastava said.
Srivastava posits that the anticipation of tax reliefs was another factor contributing to the Indian community's support for Trump. “They (Indian Americans) are in the higher income group. So they look forward some tax credit, tax benefits. and I am glad that the Republican Party, they have a policy and they re-emphasize that there will be a tax cut,” he said.
Usha Vance and Hindu culture
Regarding Trump's running mate, Srivastava emphasized the significant role played by his wife Usha, who is of Indian and Hindu heritage. He went on to say that, as J.D. says in his memoir, Usha was a major influence in his decision to remain committed as a Christian, despite him having no objection to converting to Hinduism.
“J.D. Vance, thanks in his book, his wife for making him again committed to his faith. So that's the greatness of our Hindu culture,” Srivastava said.
In conclusion, Srivastava, the director of the American Hindu Coalition, a political organization that is committed to encouraging five million American Hindus to participate actively in politics, urged all Hindu Americans to vote in the upcoming elections and stated that his organization is actively involved in efforts to increase the Hindu vote.
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