Raja Krishnamoorthi Condemns Post Targeting South Asian Students
Washington — Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi condemned a social media post by Texas Republican politician Bo French that targeted South Asian students celebrating a University of Texas football victory.
French, the Republican nominee for the Texas Railroad Commission, posted photographs of South Asian students celebrating the Longhorns’ win and portrayed their presence as evidence that Americans were being “displaced by foreigners.” The post drew criticism from Krishnamoorthi and others.
“Bo French’s xenophobic hate toward South Asian students is disgraceful and part of a broader rise in attacks targeting South Asian Americans across the country,” Krishnamoorthi said.
“These young people were cheering for their university, and he chose to demonise them based solely on how they look,” he added.
Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat, said South Asian Americans have the same standing as other communities in the United States.
“South Asian Americans are as American as anyone, and this kind of hatred has no place in our politics or our country,” he said.
The congressman also responded directly to French on social media.
The criticism comes days after Krishnamoorthi spoke out against a Department of Homeland Security social media post featuring a man identified as “Mr. Singh” in a deportation-themed graphic. The post included the messages “get off our roads” and “self-deport or find out.”
Krishnamoorthi said at the time that the government should not suggest that a person’s faith, heritage or identity means they do not belong in the United States.
Born in New Delhi and raised in the United States, Krishnamoorthi represents Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, which includes parts of the Chicago suburbs. (Source: IANS)
