Kamala Harris’ running mate celebrates Diwali with South Asian Americans 

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz visited the Bharatiya Temple in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Thursday to celebrate Diwali, a major holiday for South Asian communities.

The Minnesota Governor participated in a diya lighting ceremony before receiving a blessing and extended his best wishes to Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists celebrating the festival of lights in the United States and around the world, according to a media release from the Harris-Walz campaign.

Walz also highlighted the plan of Vice President Kamala Harris, who is of Indian descent, to chart a New Way Forward, lower costs for South Asian American families, and make it easier to start a small business, build wealth and achieve homeownership.

Walz was greeted by Montgomery County Commissioner and Chair of the Board of Elections, Neil Makhija, who is the first Indian American County Commissioner in Pennsylvania’s history across all 67 counties. Walz was also greeted by Atul Sangal, Board Member and Secretary of the Bharatiya Temple as well as priest Sri Seshasai Rompicharla.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the White House has hosted its largest Diwali celebrations ever, and Harris has hosted her own Diwali celebrations at the vice president’s residence as recently as 2023, the release noted.

“I know that in Pennsylvania, as well as Minnesota, the Indian and South Asian community is so much a fabric of our state and who we are in all aspects of civic, political, educational, the arts across all spectrums, entrepreneurship and business,” he said thanking legislators and Gov Josh Shapiro for recognizing and making Diwali officially a holiday in Pennsylvania.

“I know there’s a lot of anxiety out there and everything, but you can feel the sense of community here,” he said to the excited crowd of temple-goers. “You can feel the sense of love; you can feel the sense of that there is something bigger than all of us.”

“As we go into these next five days, the opportunity couldn’t be greater to choose the path, what we’re here today for, to think about moving into a positive future where everybody is part of it … and we use our knowledge to work together,” Walz said.

“Our diversity is our strength in this country,” he added. Walz Asked the attendees to save some energy to celebrate Wednesday morning after the election. He said the country gets a more perfect union by electing “folks who look like the community.”

“Wonderful to welcome Governor @Tim_Walz to Montgomery County to celebrate Diwali in Pennsylvania!!” posted Makhija online. “Thank you for being the light in times of darkness.  PA has 166K Indian Americans! Our communities can’t wait to see you be the next VP to Madam President @KamalaHarris.”

“@Tim_Walz celebrating Diwali in Montgomery County PA today. I don’t remember a ticket that has taken steps like these to recognize South Asians. 5 days,” wrote @KunalAtit.