United States: Will Fort Bend, the "Little India" of Texas, support Kamala Harris?
Audio 03:48
Fort Bend County is located south of Houston, it is nicknamed "Little India".
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Text by: Thomas Harms Follow
10 mins
This year, nearly 2 million voters in the United States of Indian origin (and 11 million of Asian origin) will be able to vote.
The minority vote will count a lot for the presidential election on November 3.
Fort Bend County south of Houston (nicknamed "Little India") voted a majority for Hillary Clinton in 2016 (51.6%).
What will happen in the ballot on November 3?
Will the origin of Kamala Harris (whose father is Jamaican and mother Indian), Joe Biden's vice president, have an impact on the Indians of Fort Bend?
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Two years ago, in September 2018, the Indian community of Fort Bend in Texas made the headlines.
On the occasion of the feast of Ganesh (Ganesh Chaturthi), the republicans of the county had published an advertisement in the newspaper of the Indian community with this question: "You prefer to worship a donkey or an elephant?
A message which had been interpreted as a provocation for some, or a simple anti-democratic spade for others, the emblem of the Democratic Party being a donkey, while the Republican Party has the elephant as its symbol.
About 150,000 Americans of Indian origin live in Little India in Fort Bend County, Texas, and in Greater Houston.
But since the closure of many Hindu temples due to Covid-19, the community has been less visible.
We can guess his presence by listening to the radio, passing in front of Indian restaurants from his car, or thanks to the electoral panels which call to vote for Sri Kulkani on November 3rd.
This Democrat of Indian origin is a candidate to represent this district in the United States Congress (the 22nd district of Texas).
“
The Asian population of Texas is growing faster than any other community,
” he says.
“
And I can't overstate how important this is to someone like me who grew up here but has never seen anyone in our community become mayor, congressman or governor.
And now, to see a woman whose mother is Indian become vice-president of the United States of America, it has a huge impact, it inspires young people,
”Sri Kulkani notes.
“
You're going to see a record participation rate from our community because it energizes us in a way.
It is a question of representation, all the communities must have a voice here,
”insists the candidate.
Kamala Harris' Indian origin is not necessarily an asset
But Kamala Harris is an ambiguous personality for Indians.
Seshadri Kumar is the editor-in-chief of the weekly
India-Herald which is
distributed to the Indian community.
“
She didn't claim to be of Indian origin most of the time.
All her life, she has defined herself as an African-American ... her mother raised her like that,
”explains the journalist.
“
So I would say some reactions are emotional, just because she's Indian and she's a woman.
Everyone says "oh, this is great!"
But you see, after three weeks no one is talking about her anymore.
There is not unanimous support for her just because her mother is Indian.
Second, she was not very favorable to India.
This in itself is a complication.
"
As with many diasporas, the relationship with the country of origin plays an important role.
And if there is one sensitive point for the Indians, it is the situation in Kashmir.
Rishi Bhutada lives in Fort Bend, he is part of the "Hindu American foundation" which is lobbying for the Indian government.
“
I saw her statement on Kashmir, I think she doesn't have a holistic view of the situation in Kashmir, with Pakistanis supporting terrorists attacking civilians there.
It is a problem and a serious concern for the community,
”notes the activist.
“
American Indians are considered very strong Democratic voters nationally, I think 75% of voters vote Democratic.
But I noticed the signs of a change going on, I don't know how it's going to turn out.
"
Kamala Harris also fails to convince Indo-American conservatives
Like nearly 50,000 Indians, Rishi Buthada, who is more democratic, attended a year ago (September 22, 2019) Howdy Modi, the meeting of the Indian prime minister in Houston.
Donald Trump had also made the trip and received the nod of Narendra Modi.
Since this event, the “Hindus for Trump” group active on Facebook and WhatsApp has become more visible.
Ramesh Cherivirala is one of them, he also recently created in Fort Bend the association of "Indo-Americans conservatives of Texas".
He considers Kamala Harris to be an upstart.
According to him, she converted to Christianity because the Hindu religion does not attract votes.
And for him, the origin of the division in the country has a name: Obama.
“
As soon as I saw Obama, I wondered what he was trying to do.
He caused the division and I was like, "oh no no, we're going to be one of those third world countries."
So I became a Trump fan.
He embodies the success of the American dream.
He got it all.
Besides, he had nothing to gain by becoming a politician.
So I realized that he was going to do something for the country,
”insists Ramesh Cherivirala, who is offended.
“
Regarding the choice of Kamala Harris, we're in America, and I'll give you an example: if you have a business, put an ad saying you want to hire a black man.
Guess what will happen to you and your business?
You will be put in jail because the job offers must not favor a group in this country.
So, for a presidential candidate to say he will choose a black woman, is that legal
?
Who is the racist here
?
Basically it is immoral
”.
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