With four days left for the US elections, Donald Trump extended Diwali's wishes on Thursday by invoking the violence against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. He also used the opportunity to slam Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and US President Joe Biden for "ignoring Hindus across the world and in America."
This is the first that Trump ever raised the issue of Bangladesh unrest and subsequent violence though it is two months since the event brought the Sheikh Hasina government down.
In a post on Truth Social, the Republican candidate, who called Prime Minister Narendra Modi his friend, said "Bangladesh remains in a total state of chaos".
"I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos," Trump said.
He claimed that such a thing would have never happened on his watch, calling the currrent administration a disaster.
"Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America," he said, adding that a government led by him would "protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left."
"We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi," Trump said.
"Also, Happy Diwali to All. I hope the Festival of Lights leads to the Victory of Good over Evil," said the former president.
Harris, Biden celebrate Diwali
Diwali celebrations were held at many places in the US, including at temples and many iconic places across the country.
"This Diwali, may we show the power in the gathering of light. The light of knowledge, of unity, of truth. The light for freedom, for democracy, for an America where anything is possible," Biden said in a post on X.
Earlier this week, he hosted the largest ever Diwali at the White House by inviting some 600 eminent Indian-Americans from across the country.
Harris too put up a post wishing Diwali. "Tonight, we join more than 1 billion people across America and around the world lighting diyas and celebrating the fight for good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness," Harris said.