US Diwali Protest: Disruption at Seattle Diwali Event as Activists Raise Racist Slogans Against Indians

A Diwali celebration in Seattle, US, was disrupted by a group of conservative activists who raised slogans targeting people of Indian origin and the Hindu community. Led by Jack Lang, the activists arrived at the event carrying placards with racist messages. US lawmakers and community leaders have strongly condemned the incident.

Jack Lang and his associate Thomas Allen protested while waving the American flag. They displayed placards carrying slogans such as ‘Deport All Indians’ and ‘Stop Replacing Christians with Hindus’.

The disruption took place while a dance performance was underway on the stage. Videos of the incident went viral on social media. The activists involved in the protest were soon removed from the event venue.

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal Calls Incident Racist

The incident took place during a Diwali celebration at Seattle Center Armory, which was part of Seattle Center Festal. The venue hosts 25 cultural festivals annually, attracting around 400,000 visitors every year.

US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal expressed her anger over the incident, describing it as an extremely disgraceful and racist act. She said Diwali is an important festival and members of the community have the right to celebrate it in a safe environment. She added that there is no place for such hateful acts in her city or country.

Targeting of Indian-Origin People Condemned

Former White House adviser Ajay Jain Bhutoria also condemned the incident. He said targeting Hindu Americans and Indian immigrants with racial slurs and conspiracy-driven rhetoric is completely wrong. Every American has the right to celebrate their cultural heritage and festivals freely.

The incident took place a day after US President Donald Trump lit a traditional Diwali lamp in the Oval Office and Washington Governor Bob Ferguson attended a Diwali celebration at the Indian Consulate in Seattle.

Governor Ferguson said Washington State is proud to be home to one of the largest Indian-American communities in the United States. Over the past decade, the state's population of Indian-origin Americans has grown faster than anywhere else in the country. He said the community has made a significant contribution to the state's development.