People around the world are closely watching the U.S. election, including Hindu worshipers in southern India, who held prayers on Monday for a victory for Kamala Harris. Harris, who has roots in both India and Jamaica, is the daughter of immigrants, with her mother hailing from Tamil Nadu, India, before moving to the U.S. for graduate studies.
Harris has often highlighted her Indian heritage, sharing memories of visiting her grandfather in Chennai and reflecting on the influence of her Indian background on her life and career. Her candidacy has resonated with many in India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where her story is seen as a source of pride and inspiration.
“Our Indian as well as Tamil ancestral leader, Kamala Harris, is going to participate in the presidential election. Definitely, she will win the election,” said Ballu, founder of the Hindu group Anushanath’s Anukragni Organisation, in the city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, according to videos by Reuters and ANI News.
In the videos, banners with Harris’ face are displayed next to idols of Hindu gods, with priests offering prayers and flower petals to the idols.
Many Indian Americans were energized after Harris became the new Democratic nominee, with national and grassroots organizers from the community citing a groundswell of support for the Harris campaign in the weeks after she announced her candidacy.
