The first Hindu lawmaker in US Congress, Tulsi Gabbard, has expressed concern over the series of hate crimes against Indian-Americans and asked the Justice Department to investigate all violent acts motivated by bigotry and to promote a pluralistic society.
She was responding to questions on the series of hate crimes across the country. "This is something that not only affects Indian-Americans or Hindus, but really is something that should be important to every American," she said.
"I'm very concerned about this. It's always dangerous to our people and our community when you have these violent hate crimes that are motivated out of bigotry," Gabbard said.
A three-term lawmaker from Hawaii, Tulsi Gabbard was recently elected as the Democratic Co-Chair of Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans.
"This is something that I urge the Justice Department to investigate and to continue to inform and educate people, and to promote a society that is a pluralistic society that respects people no matter their religion, their race, ethnicity, their social status in life or anything else that makes each of us unique," Gabbard said.
Several other lawmakers, including four Indian-Americans elected to the House of Representatives, have joined hands to condemn the hate crimes and asked the community to stand strongly against such acts.