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With drums
banging and speakers blaring, the Hindu Sena, or Hindu Army,
gathered at Jantar Mantar - New Delhi's answer to London's
Speakers' Corner - to proclaim to a knot of TV crews that Trump
had "already won" the Nov. 8 vote.
"Trump's victory is confirmed early, due to his thoughts against
Islamic terrorism and love for India and Hindus," said Vishnu
Gupta, the Hindu Sena's self-styled national president.
Trump uttered the memorable phrase "I love Hindu" at a cultural
event in New Jersey last month organized by supporters of his
candidacy from the Indian diaspora.
That sentiment has not played so well with many diaspora Indians
who are secular or belong to other faiths and, as a group, lean
more toward supporting Democrat Hillary Clinton.
But as far as the Hindu Sena is concerned, the feeling is
mutual.
Its celebration at a roadside stall featured posters bearing the
slogans, "India Loves Trump" and "Trump Our Only Hope". One
supporter held up a portrait of Trump with a tilak, or religious
mark, on his forehead and held a sweet to his mouth.
India has not officially endorsed either Trump or Democratic
contender Hillary Clinton but has seen a warming in bilateral
ties between outgoing President Barack Obama and Prime Minister
Narendra Modi.
(Reporting by Douglas Busvine; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
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