In the heart of Telangana, India, an extraordinary event is unfolding as the US Elections 2024 campaign reaches its final phase. A grand 11-day havan, known as the ‘Sri Raja Shyamalamba Sahita Shata Chandi Purvaka Sudarshana Maha Yagam,’ has been organized by the Shyamala Gopalan Foundation in Palvancha, Bhadradri Korhagudem, with the express intention of securing victory for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. This unique Hindu ritual, which is expected to culminate on Wednesday, November 5, the day of the US elections, involves the participation of 40 Vedic pundits and an estimated 7,000 people.
The significance of this ritual lies in Kamala Harris’s Indian heritage. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, migrated to the US from India before marrying her husband, who is of Jamaican origin. The organizers believe that the ‘yagam’ has already begun to influence the political landscape, claiming that Harris’s support base has seen a surge since the ritual began. Nalla Suresh Reddy, the founder of the Shyamala Gopalan Educational Foundation, the organization behind the ritual, told ANI, “Whatever will happen, will happen by the grace of God. Today is the 10th day of the yagya. We saw that due to the ritual, Harris’s support base increased. We want Harris to win.”
The ritual, which is being performed daily, involves feeding approximately 500-1,000 people as part of the ceremony. Reddy stated, “India is widely seen as a Hindu nation. By keeping our faith in the religion, we are hoping that Harris will win the elections.”
Kamala Harris’s Indian roots have been a significant factor in her campaign, resonating with the Indian diaspora in the US. Born in Oakland, California, Harris attended Howard University, a historically black university in Washington D.C., before pursuing a career in law. Her political journey has been marked by her advocacy on issues such as women’s rights, immigration reform, and economic equality. In the presidential polls, Harris has emerged as a strong voice for these issues, particularly her stance on abortion rights and her proposal for an ‘earned pathway to citizenship’ for undocumented immigrants.
As the US election draws near, the eyes of the world are on the outcome, and this unique ritual in Telangana serves as a testament to the global reach of politics and the power of faith in shaping public opinion. Whether or not the ‘yagam’ will have a tangible impact on the election results remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly reflects the deep connection between India and the United States, and the shared aspirations of the Indian diaspora for a leader who represents their values and interests.
