{
  "id": 18896183,
  "title": "US congresswoman Pramila Jayapal condemns far-right activist's ‘racist’ disruption of Seattle Diwali event",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/us-congresswoman-pramila-jayapal-condemns-far-right-activists-racist",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T08:14:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times - World News",
    "slug": "hindustan-times-world-news",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-congresswoman-pramila-jayapal-condemns-far-right-activists-racist-disruption-of-seattle-diwali-event-101794119695829.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal denounced far-right activist Jake Lang after he allegedly disrupted a Diwali celebration in Seattle by carrying placards with racist slogans. Jayapal, who recently won re-election to the US House from Washington's 7th Congressional District, expressed her disgust at the incident on social media platform X. Jayapal emphasized that the Indian-American community should feel safe to celebrate its festivals without fear. She stated that Diwali, an important holiday, should be celebrated without encountering hateful displays. Lang, however, claimed that he and his associates were assaulted by attendees at the event. Video footage showed him and others carrying anti-Hindu placards and being confronted by people at the festival, with some physically removing them. Lang directed a rant at Hindus, blaming them for Democrats turning Texas blue. Lang defended the demonstration, claiming it was a First Amendment exercise against the replacement of Christians by Hindus in Texas, Washington, and other places. He also highlighted that individuals, including some white liberals, attacked him and his team, causing damage to their belongings. Indian American businessman Ajay Jain Bhutoria condemned the incident, calling it an act of bigotry and stating that racial slurs targeting Hindus and Indian immigrants have no place in the US. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) expressed concern over the incident and urged people to remain vigilant during Diwali celebrations, describing the activists as hinduphobic bigots. CoHNA also warned that the activists had plans to disrupt other Diwali events. Lang, who previously participated in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, served four years in prison before being pardoned by President Donald Trump in January 2025.",
  "summary": "Pramila Jayapal reacted to videos of Jake Lang after he carried placards with slogans saying “Deport All Dot Heads” during a Diwali celebration in Seattle.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Seattle Diwali event disrupted: Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal condemns ‘hateful display’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/seattle-diwali-event-disrupted-congresswoman-pramila-jayapal-condemns",
        "published": "2026-11-08T08:41:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}