A day before the US midterm elections, Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi has made a pitch for Democrats, citing growing anti-India hate and hostility from the far right. She said Indian-American and other South Asian communities were experiencing "legitimate anxiety" over rising bigotry and targeted attacks, calling for stronger protection of immigrant communities and places of worship.In an exclusive interview with India Today, Hashmi said the spread of anti-Indian rhetoric, alongside anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiment, was a growing concern that needed a strong response.

She called for better security at places of worship and protection for children facing bullying in schools."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 groups and individuals were feeding off hateful rhetoric and promoting anti-Indian hatred. "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 said the problem extended beyond the Indian-American community, with several immigrant groups feeling targeted. "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.She also urged Americans to recognise the contribution of Indian-Americans and other immigrant communities to the country's economy, particularly in 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, adding that communities needed to build alliances to counter hostility.HASHMI BLAMES TRUMP POLICIES FOR RISING COST OF LIVINGThe Virginia Lieutenant Governor also criticised President Donald Trump's economic policies, saying inflation and the rising cost of living were among the biggest concerns she heard from voters ahead of the November midterm elections.She said families were struggling with rising 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 gaining momentum not merely because voters wanted an alternative to Republicans, but because Democratic-led states were trying to protect families from federal funding cuts.She cited Virginia's efforts to respond to cuts in Medicaid funding and food and nutrition programmes through the state budget.

However, she cautioned that state governments could not indefinitely compensate for reductions in federal assistance."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 CONGRESSHashmi said a Democratic majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate was necessary to restore accountability in Washington and challenge Trump's decisions.She argued that the party controlling Congress determines which legislation is introduced and passed, how congressional committees function and whether the President is held accountable.She also raised concerns about what she described as an unauthorised war in Iran, referring 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 rather than their allegiance to the President."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.The 2026 US midterm elections will take place on November 3, halfway through President Donald Trump's four-year term. Americans will vote to elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives and 35 senators, along with several state and local representatives.

The results will decide which party controls Congress for the next two years, potentially affecting how easily Trump can push through his policies and how closely lawmakers can scrutinise his administration.- Ends