Far-Right Activists Disrupt Diwali Celebration Amid Rising Anti-Hindu Sentiment

Two far-right activists disrupted a Diwali celebration in Seattle by promoting anti-Hindu sentiments and conspiracy theories. They called for the deportation of Hindus while claiming that Christians were being replaced. This incident occurred in front of festivalgoers, including children, and drew condemnation from U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Hindu advocacy groups. Notably, the disruption followed an event where President Donald Trump lit a traditional diya in the Oval Office to mark Diwali.

What Happened?

The disturbance unfolded at ‘Diwali: Lights of India’, a free cultural event held at Seattle Center Armory on November 7. Activists Jake Lang and Thomas Allen arrived with American flags and placards reading “Deport All Dot Heads” and “Stop Hindu Replacement of Christians”. The slogans were criticized for their ethnic slurs and reference to the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory. Video footage shared online showed the men being confronted by attendees and subsequently escorted out of the venue.

Jayapal, representing Washington’s 7th Congressional District, shared the footage on social media, condemning the action as “vile and racist”. She emphasized that Diwali is an important holiday and that such hateful displays have no place in Seattle or the United States.

Pushpita Prasad, a spokesperson for the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), told Newsweek that the incident reflects a broader pattern of anti-Hindu sentiment and growing hostility against Hindu and Indian American communities.

Who Are Jake Lang and Thomas Allen?

Jake Lang, 31, a far-right activist and conservative influencer, gained notoriety for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack. He faced charges, including assault, and served four years in jail. He was later pardoned by President Trump in 2025. Lang has continued his provocative activities, seeking a Republican nomination for a Senate seat in Florida and promoting conspiracy theories about demographic shifts.

Lang’s recent activities include promoting a book burning protest and vandalizing an anti-ICE sculpture. He was arrested for the latter, facing a trial for first-degree property damage.

Thomas Allen, 37, known as Tommy Allen, is a pro-Trump political livestreamer often seen at demonstrations. In 2026, he was charged with assault and violating probation due to an incident in Portland, Oregon. His actions in Seattle were shared via an X account linked to him.

Could They Face Charges?

It is uncertain if Lang and Allen will face criminal charges for the disruption in Seattle. Washington state law defines malicious harassment, often termed a hate crime, including acts motivated by race, religion, or national origin. However, offensive speech alone does not equal a criminal offense. Allegations of threats or trespassing would require a separate evaluation.

Condemnation Beyond Jayapal

The incident attracted criticism from Indian-American figures and advocacy groups. Ajay Jain Bhutoria, an Indian-American businessman and former White House adviser, criticized the act on social media, highlighting its hateful nature.

CoHNA addressed the event as “Hinduphobic bigotry” and emphasized the need for vigilance in Hindu communities. Pushpita Prasad expressed worry over rising hostile rhetoric targeting Hindus. Sunita Vishwanath, co-founder of Hindus for Human Rights, also criticized the demonstration, noting increased hostility towards Hindu communities.

HinduPACT called for vigilance and the reporting of suspicious activities to law enforcement. This incident underscores ongoing concerns about anti-Hindu biases and the security of cultural celebrations in the U.S. It follows another alleged plot, involving Alexandros Paporakis, aimed at attacking a Hindu temple near Chicago. Authorities linked his motivations to Nazi ideology.

Update, 11/7/26, 12.10 p.m. EST: Additional comments from CoHNA’s Pushpita Prasad were included in this article.

For further inquiries, contact Newsweek editors: Ben Kelly and Trevor Davies.