Members of the right-wing Indian group, the Shiv Sena, conducted a havan (prayer ritual) to ask the Hindu gods for Donald Trumps success in the US presidential elections. The ritual is believed to have taken place at popular monument Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on 11 May.
Shiv Sena members were pictured conducting the ritual while surrounded by statues of Hindu gods, as well as several images of Trump. Above where they sat, a huge banner read: Hindu Sena supports Donald Trump: Hope for humanity against Islamic Terror.
Speaking to the Associated Press, Vishnu Gupta, founder of the Hindu Sena, said: The whole world is screaming against Islamic terrorism, and even India is not safe from it. Only Donald Trump can save humanity.
Members of the right-wing Hindu group lit a ritualistic fire and chanted Sanskrit prayers, which reportedly appealed to the gods to help Trump with his victory in the US elections. The Shiv Sena members also threw offerings into the fire, such as seeds, grass and ghee (condensed butter).
The term Hindu Sena began trending on Twitter in India as the news broke about the prayer ritual. Many took to social media to mock the right-wing Hindus, however, Shiv Sena members appeared to remain undeterred from their belief that an elected Trump would be good for India.
In a flyer circulated on social media, the Hindu Sena confirmed their support for Trump, saying: We Hindu Sena are endorsing our support to Mr. Trump and had organised this fire ritual to pray from god to ensure his victory. We are all victims of Islamic terror... To fight against such evil we need a brave leader globally. Donald Trump is that man with brave heart.
On 11 May morning, Gupta took to Twitter to dismiss those who had been mocking the Shiv Sena: Many seculars crying after our support for Trump, I dont care for them, Trump is against Islamic terror. Thats the reason I love Trump.
In a tweet that followed, Gupta told his fellow Indians that unemployment was not the biggest problem in the country, but instead, Islamic terrorism is. He once again signed off his tweet saying I love Trump.
