Rep. Jim McGovern to Visit Lakshmi Hindu Temple in Ashland in Historic First for Massachusetts

Ashland, MA — Rep. Jim McGovern is scheduled to visit the Lakshmi Hindu Temple on Saturday, March 21, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., in what organizers say will be the first visit by a sitting U.S. congressman to a Hindu temple in Massachusetts.

The event, organized by the American Hindu Coalition, is expected to bring together community members, faith leaders, and local officials for discussions on civic engagement, religious inclusion, and public policy.

McGovern, who has represented Massachusetts in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1997, currently serves as the ranking member of the House Rules Committee and is known for his work on human rights, food security, and social justice issues. Over his career, he has been a leading advocate on global hunger initiatives and democratic reforms.

On the occasion, Ramesh Vishwanath Kapur, president of the US-India Security Council and a longtime Democratic Party activist, is highlighting the broader significance of the visit. In an exclusive video interview with INDIA New England News, Kapur discusses McGovern’s outreach to Hindu Americans, the recent Senate primary loss of Raja Krishnamoorthi in Illinois, and the implications for the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.

To watch the interview, please click here, or on the image below.

Kapur, a prominent Indian American community leader in New England, has long been active in promoting U.S.-India relations and increasing political engagement within the diaspora.

Organizers say McGovern’s visit reflects growing recognition of the Indian American and Hindu communities in Massachusetts, particularly as their civic and political influence continues to expand.

Saturday’s program is expected to include community interactions and dialogue aimed at strengthening ties between elected officials and the Hindu American community in the region.