Harini Krishna is a national director for Kamala Harris. Nepalese Diaspora's editor Satish Chapagain had asked some questions to Harini regarding Kamala's campaign and the role of South Asian. Here are the written interview:

How is the campaign going with South Asian communities for Harris Waltz?

South Asians for Harris has been working around the clock to reach South Asian voters nationwide. We have held weekly phonebanks to multiple battleground states for the past 14 weeks. Together, we have made 30,000+ calls into key states, including Nevada, North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania and sent 250,000 texts.

We also organized canvasses in critical states like Pennsylvania and Georgia, knocking on 10,000+ doors, including 2,000 doors just the past weekend in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, which has a large South Asian population.

We also have been countering disinformation by creating voter information graphics and graphics on the economy and range of issues, and sharing it in our many channels, including WhatsApp and social media.

South Asians for Harris, working with our grassroots partners, have translated voter materials into different languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Urdu and others.

There has been extensive and targeted outreach to the South Asian community from the Harris Walz campaign directly as well. Just this past weekend, they published an op-ed in The Juggernaut: Charting a New Way Forward for South Asian Americans.

They also have published fact sheets on home care, seniors, and countering Trump’s Project 2025 in Hindi and Urdu: https://go.kamalaharris.com/aanhpis/ 

Which are the swing states you think that South Asian and minority should come out and vote?

There are seven swing states that are critical to the outcome of the election, including Nevada, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin. While it is important for our South Asian community to vote and have our voices heard across the country, especially where there may be close local races, these seven are where the South Asian community can play a pivotal role in being the deciding factor in the presidential election.

How can you say the Trump’s agenda is the against of the people of color and immigrants?

Trump’s agenda has shown systematic discrimination against people of color and faiths. In addition to implementing Muslim bans, he has restricted legal immigration to our country,  disproportionately affecting our South Asian communities. Based on his latest campaign policies, he plans to further restrict legal immigration, adversely impacting employers who rely on H-1B workers (WSJ, Oct. 31, 2024).

Why do you think Asian Americans should support and vote for Kamala?

Kamala Harris is the daughter of immigrants and a South Asian whose story is so much like ours. She understands that America has always been a country that welcomes everyone, no matter your nationality, and allows immigrants the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. Her policies will support the middle class and allow our South Asian communities to continue advancing and achieving the American Dream. 

Her administration will be an inclusive one that will respect and celebrate everyone’s race and faith. This past week, for example, Diwali was observed in the highest office of our nation, the White House. Tim Walz observed Diwali at a temple in Pennyslvania. Kamala Harris also has held celebrations at her residence at the Naval Observatory during her tenure as Vice President.