New Delhi: The ‘Samosa Caucus’ is set to expand its influence with the addition of Suhas Subramanyam, who emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for a Congressional seat in Virginia. Suhas’s win, defeating 11 other candidates, including another Indian-American, Krystle Kaul, marks a significant milestone in the political journey of Indian-Americans. He was the first Indian-American, South Asian, and Hindu to be elected to the Virginia General Assembly in 2019 and the Virginia State Senate in 2023. Suhasis is now running for the US House of Representatives from the 10th Congressional District of Virginia, a district with a sizable Indian-American population. Let’s delve into the ‘Samosa Caucus’ in this article.
What is the ‘Samosa Caucus’?
The term ‘Samosa Caucus’ was coined by Raja Krishnamoorthi, a member of the US House of Representatives from Illinois, and has been used since 2018.
But why the term ‘Samosa Caucus’? It is used for a group of elected officials in the US Congress with South Asian ancestry, particularly from the Indian subcontinent. Samosa, a well-known snack food, inspired the name. The usage resonates with the idea of a strong identification with Indian culture. This cultural symbol extends into the digital realm, with “Samosapedia” as a repository of Indian slang.
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (Photo credit: Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Who is part of the ‘Samosa Caucus’?
There are currently six US Representatives of Indian descent serving in the Samosa Caucus, all of whom belong to the Democratic Party. They are
Shri Thanedar representing Michigan’s 13th District
Dr Ami Bera from California’s 6th District
Ro Khanna from California’s 17th District
Pramila Jayapal representing Washington’s 7th District
Raja Krishnamoorthi from Illinois’s 8th District
Though not a member of the House, Vice President Kamala Harris presides over the Senate.
Indian Diaspora in the US Politics
With a growing number of Indian-Americans achieving political prominence, the landscape of American politics is undergoing a significant shift. These individuals, who also hold key positions within the Joe Biden Administration, are a testament to the increasing influence of the Indian-American community in American policymaking.
About Suhas Subramanyam
Last year, Virginia’s current occupant, Democrat Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, announced she would not run for the seat, and she endorsed Suhas Subramanyam. This endorsement, coupled with Suhas’s impressive political journey, is a source of inspiration. Born in Houston to Indian-American parents who migrated from Bengaluru, Suhas, 37, has been making waves in the political arena. His journey began when the then-US President Obama appointed him a White House technology policy adviser in 2015. Now, he is set to face Milke Clancy from the Republic Party in the upcoming election.
Suhas Subramanyam (Photo credit: Mark Miller/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Indians in America
According to census data, 12,000 Indian immigrants lived in the US in 1960, and now, more than 5 million Indians reside in the US.
‘Samosa Caucus’ is the name of an informal group of Indian-Americans in the US Congress. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a US House of Representatives member from Illinois, coined the term in 2018. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
