Ritu Jha–
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) 2024 will feature a Hindu priest, says Indian American community leader Ramesh Kapur (seen above with Vice President Kamala Harris), who is also the vice chair of the National Finance Committee of ‘Joe Biden for President and Kamala Devi Harris for Vice President’. Kapur told indica he has been working for this inclusion in the 2024 Democratic National Convention at Chicago.
Kapur says he is not a Hindu fundamentalist, but “I do not want Hinduism being discriminated against”.
“In my party, some people are looking to choose between Muslims and Hindus and Muslims and Jews. I want to make sure that my party does not discriminate. I’ve convinced the White House and have spoken to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair that we will have a Hindu priest in the convention this year. The only reason I say this is that they have a Christian priest, they have a Muslim imam, and they had a Jewish rabbi to do an invocation with the DNC, but they never had a Hindu priest,” Kapur told indica.
The Democratic National Convention will begin in Chicago on August 19, 2024 and conclude on August 22, 2024, and it will be here that Joe Biden will be formalized at the Democratic Party candidate for President.
The DNC will see delegates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the American territories. State parties manage the delegate selection process in each state and territory. The organizers expect 50,000 visitors, 20,000 members of the media, and 5,500 delegates, alternates, and other guests in Chicago for the Convention.
The Chicago 2024 Host Committee is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization responsible for fundraising and ensuring individuals and businesses across Illinois have the opportunity to experience the benefits of hosting the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The Host Committee liaises between the Democratic National Convention Committee, the City of Chicago, and the State of Illinois to drive lasting social and economic impact across the Chicagoland area.
Kapur is hoping to find Hinduism a representation in the convention. “Hinduism is third largest religion globally. And that’s why I am pushing to make sure that it is represented in my party. I’m not part of any of the Hindu organizations’ pact, but I just want to make sure that Hinduism is also well represented because the other religions are represented in my party. That was the only reason. I also do not like discrimination against the Muslims, the Jews, the Christians, and every religion. I hate any form of discrimination, whether it is money, no money, or whether it is homeless. Everybody is a human being. That’s why I’m part of the Democrat Party. And if any time in my party I feel that people are taking sides, I will fight it. That’s what I’m fighting against at the present time.”
At the Democratic Convention, the delegates attend the White House breakfast, a prayer breakfast. “I’m making sure that a Hinduism will always be represented over there by a priest. I’ve been assured by the DNC chair and the White House that this time they will make sure that we have a Hindu priest at the convention. I’ve asked the American Hindu Foundation and the American Hindu Coalition to give me a name for the right candidate.”
Kapur has also set his sights on getting Hinduism represented in the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). “I have spoken to Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Leader of the US House of Representatives, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and other people. We are pushing to make sure that Hinduism is represented in the US India Commission on Religious Freedom. It’s a cabinet position that was started during Bill Clinton’s time. Hinduism should be represented because other religions are represented in it. I’m not asking anybody to make sure that Hinduism is the only one that’s represented. I just want equality in my party.”
