NRI Poet Rupi Kaur Declines Biden Administration's Diwali Invitation in Protest of Gaza

Los Angeles, Nov 08, 2023
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/A.Gary Singh

Rupi Kaur requested her followers to sign petitions, participate in boycotts, and join protests to advocate for peace and justice in the region.

NRI poet Rupi Kaur has made headlines by declining an invitation to a Diwali event scheduled for Wednesday, hosted by the US President Joe Biden's administration. Her decision stems from her deep concerns and reservations regarding the administration's response to the ongoing situation in Gaza. Kaur's stance emphasizes the intersection of art, politics, and social justice, showcasing the power of artists to use their influence to raise awareness about critical global issues.

• “I decline any invitation from an institution that supports the collective punishment of a trapped civilian population—50 per cent of whom are children,” Kaur, 31, wrote in a statement posted on X on Monday.
• “I'm surprised this administration finds it acceptable to celebrate Diwali, when their support of the current atrocities against Palestinians represent the exact opposite of what this holiday means to many of us,” the author of “Milk and Honey” said.

The Gaza Ministry of Health made a grim announcement on Monday, revealing that the Palestinian death toll has surpassed a devastating milestone, with over 10,000 individuals lost in the ongoing conflict. Heartbreakingly, this number includes a staggering 4,104 children, underscoring the tragic toll that this protracted conflict has taken on the most vulnerable members of the community. The absence of any signs of a ceasefire in the besieged enclave adds to the urgency of finding a peaceful resolution to the crisis and bringing much-needed relief to the people of Gaza.

The dire situation in Gaza continues to worsen, with 16 out of Gaza's 35 hospitals running critically low on fuel supplies, leading to the suspension of vital medical operations. According to the United Nations, the ongoing conflict has displaced more than 1.5 million people, which accounts for over half of Gaza's population.

NRI Rupi Kaur, in light of these distressing developments, has called upon other South Asians in the United States to join her in holding the Biden administration accountable for its response to the escalating civilian death toll. Her activism underscores the importance of raising awareness and advocating for a peaceful resolution to this devastating crisis.

• “I implore my South Asian community to hold this administration accountable. As a Sikh woman, I will not allow my likeness to be used in whitewashing this administration's actions.”
• Kaur, who immigrated to Canada from Punjab at the age of four with her parents, said: “We must not be tokenized by their photo-ops. When a government’s actions dehumanize people anywhere in the world, it is our moral imperative to call for justice.”

The Diwali event that NRI Rupi Kaur declined is being hosted by America's Indian-origin Vice President, Kamala Harris. Among Sikhs, Diwali holds a special significance as it is celebrated as Bandi Chhor Divas (Day of Liberation). This day commemorates the actions of their sixth guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib, who played a pivotal role in liberating 52 fellow political prisoners from unjust imprisonment by a Mughal emperor. The celebration of Bandi Chhor Divas is a reminder of the Sikh community's commitment to justice and freedom.

• “I have always used this day to reflect on what it means to fight for freedom against oppression. Today, the American government is not only funding the bombardment of Gaza, they continue to justify this genocide against Palestinians regardless of how many refugee camps, health facilities, and places of worship are blown to bits,” Kaur wrote.

NRI Rupi Kaur, known for her evocative poetry that explores themes of love, loss, trauma, healing, femininity, and migration, is not just a poet but also an advocate for social and political causes. In addition to declining the Diwali event invitation, she passionately encouraged her followers to actively engage in efforts to support a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict. She called upon them to sign petitions, participate in boycotts, and join protests, emphasizing the power of collective action in advocating for peace and justice in the troubled region. Kaur's activism demonstrates the potential for artists to use their platform to effect positive change on critical global issues.

Her collections have sold over 11 million copies and have been translated into over 43 languages, with “Milk and Honey” surpassing Homer’s “Odyssey” as the best-selling poetry of all time.

She was also regarded as “writer of the decade” by the New Republic and recognised on the Forbes 30 under 30 list.

In 2022, NRI Rupi Kaur released her fourth book, titled "Healing Through Word," continuing her exploration of personal and universal themes through her distinctive style of poetry and art.

Rupi Kaur, Poet, Canada

• Link on NRIpress.com