Hashmi Flags Anti-India Hate Ahead of US Midterms

Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi has urged Indian-American voters to support Democrats in the US midterm elections, warning that anti-India hate, anti-immigrant rhetoric and hostility towards minority communities are creating growing anxiety among South Asians across the country.

In an interview with India Today ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, Hashmi called for stronger protection of immigrant communities, improved security at places of worship and measures to ensure children are safe from bullying in schools.

She said the concerns extended beyond Virginia, with Indian-American and other South Asian groups in states including Georgia and Michigan also expressing unease over the political climate and what she described as the expansion of bigotry.

Hashmi Warns of Rising Anti-Indian Hate and Hostility

Hashmi said she had spoken with several South Asian and Indian-American organisations and found that members of these communities were experiencing what she called “legitimate anxiety” over developments in Washington and the spread of harmful rhetoric.

“I’ve talked to many South Asian groups, Indian American groups, and not just here in Virginia, but also in Georgia and in Michigan. And there is anxiety. There’s legitimate anxiety about what’s been happening coming out of Washington and the expansion of bigotry and harmful rhetoric,” Hashmi said.

Referring to a mass-shooting plot targeting a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, she said hateful rhetoric was contributing to an environment in which groups and individuals were promoting anti-Indian hostility.

“We know that there are groups and individuals who are feeding off of this hateful rhetoric and are really espousing anti-Indian hatred. And it’s something that we have to address,” she said.

Hashmi stressed that the issue was not limited to Indian-Americans, saying several immigrant communities were also concerned about hostility and discrimination.

She called for stronger public safety measures at religious institutions and greater protection for children in educational settings.

“We need to ensure that there is public safety in all of our places of worship, that our children feel safe when they’re going to school, that they are not targets of bullying,” she said.

Hashmi Highlights Indian-American Contributions to the US Economy

Hashmi also urged Americans to recognise the role played by Indian-Americans and other immigrant communities in the country’s economic and social development. She highlighted their contributions to healthcare, education, business and entrepreneurship.

“America is diverse. America is built off the hard work of so many different communities. That is something that is important for us to continue to remind people,” she said.

She added that communities needed to build alliances to counter hostility and promote a safer environment for people from different backgrounds.

Hashmi Blames Trump Policies for Rising Cost of Living

Beyond concerns about anti-immigrant sentiment, Hashmi criticised President Donald Trump’s economic policies, identifying inflation and the rising cost of living as major issues raised by voters ahead of the midterm elections.

She said families across Virginia were facing increasing pressure from grocery bills, housing costs and petrol prices.

“Housing prices are out of reach. And every time they go to fill their car with gas, the bills just keep getting higher and higher. This is not sustainable for thousands and thousands of families across Virginia,” she said.

Hashmi argued that Democrats were seeking to protect families from the effects of federal funding reductions. She pointed to Virginia’s efforts to address cuts to Medicaid funding and food and nutrition programmes through the state budget.

However, she warned that state governments could not indefinitely replace assistance provided by the federal government.

“No state budget can replace the kind of critical support and resources that a federal government can and must provide,” she said.

Why Hashmi Wants Democrats to Win Control of Congress

Hashmi said Democrats needed majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to restore accountability in Washington and scrutinise decisions made by the Trump administration.

She argued that control of Congress has a direct influence on which legislation advances, how congressional committees operate and how effectively lawmakers can hold the President accountable.

She also raised concerns about what she described as an unauthorised war in Iran and referred to the deaths of American military personnel.

“It’s the party in power that’s actually going to determine what the future of this nation is going to be, not just for the next two years, but really what it’s going to be for the next decade and the next generation,” she said.

Hashmi urged independent voters to support candidates who prioritise their constituents and are prepared to challenge decisions made by the administration.

“It’s so important that we have individuals with integrity, individuals that are ready to stand up for their constituents and not just support one man who’s holding all the power right now in Washington,” she said.

What Is at Stake in the 2026 US Midterm Elections?

The 2026 US midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, halfway through Trump’s four-year presidential term. Voters will elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives and 35 senators, alongside representatives in several state and local contests.

The results will determine which party controls Congress for the next two years. That control could shape the administration’s ability to advance legislation, influence federal spending decisions and determine the level of congressional scrutiny facing the President.

Hashmi’s appeal to Indian-American voters comes amid wider debates over Immigration, economic pressures, public safety and the political direction of the United States. Her remarks link concerns about anti-Indian hostility with her argument that Democratic control of Congress is necessary to challenge the Trump administration’s policies.