Tulsi Gabbard on Her Support of Hindu Nationalists: ‘Another Form of Hindu-Phobic Attacks’ that I Have Been Subjected To

EXCERPT:

GABBARD: “You know, I grew to understand from a young age being raised in a multi-faith home, my mom is a practicing Hindu. My dad is Catholic. For us as kids we grew up studying and reading from both Bhagavad Gita as well as the New Testament. We heard stories about Krishna and Arjuna at night when we were going to sleep, as well as stories about Jesus of Nazareth. But what we learned from a young age from these scriptures was that real happiness in life can only be found when you’re dedicating your life in the service of God and in the service of others. Truly finding ways no matter what path we chose in life to make a positive impact on those around us and to be good stewards of our home, to take care of this planet. So throughout my life, I have done my best in different ways to be able to do that, to dedicate my actions, whether it was environmental work in Hawaii as a teenager, running for state House in Hawaii when I was 21 years old, served on the city council and of course now in Congress as well as serving as a soldier in the Army National Guard. I want to address the second part of your question, though. Accusations like the type you mentioned are just another form of Hindu-phobic attacks that unfortunately I and so many other Hindus have been on the receiving end of, along with Muslims, along with people of other religions. It is exactly these kinds of attacks that not only Hindus must stand up and speak out against but every single one of us, no matter where the attack is coming from, or who it is being targeted to. If we want to change this culture of hate and bigotry, every one of us must stand up and speak with one voice to condemn it because an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.”