• Source:JND
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The United States will today elect its next leader in a pivotal presidential election. Both candidates—Republican contender Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris—have made numerous promises in their bids for the White House. Among the key issues shaping voter preferences, abortion rights have emerged as the most significant, especially influencing the Indian American women's community.

Meeta Damani, an Indian American filmmaker based in New Jersey, is actively involved in community work with a focus on women and children. Damani has spoken extensively about the abortion issue, highlighting its deep impact on Indian American families.

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“It’s an important issue for both men and women in the Indian American community. It’s all interconnected. For example, if a woman is carrying a child with health complications, the consequences affect the entire family. Ultimately, today’s discussion revolves around freedom and personal choice, and I believe women voters will make their voices heard on this matter,” news agency PTI quoted her as saying.

Similarly, Priya, a marketing professional and a vocal member of the Indian American diaspora in New Jersey, believes abortion rights should never have been an issue to begin with. She expressed her surprise over the fact that in a country like the United States, abortion rights would still be debated.

“Who would have thought that after coming to a first-world country like the US, women would still have to fight for abortion rights? If it’s my body, it should be my choice—it's that simple. As women voters, if we have the chance to support a party that stands by our rights, we will undoubtedly do so,” She said, quoted by the news agency.

The debate around abortion rights intensified in 2022, when the US Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 ruling, effectively ending the constitutional right to abortion and allowing individual states to impose restrictions or outright bans. This decision has led to restrictive abortion laws in various states.

Political campaigns have increasingly recognised the importance of abortion rights for women. Vice President Kamala Harris has placed abortion rights at the heart of her campaign strategy. Reproductive rights advocacy groups are actively engaging Indian American voters on this issue.

The Indian American Attitude Survey (IAAS) conducted a national online survey among Indian American citizens between September 18 and October 15.

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According to the findings, 67 per cent of Indian American women intend to vote for Kamala Harris, while a comparatively lower 53 per cent of men plan to support her. This gap underscores the strong alignment of Indian American women voters with Harris’s stance on abortion rights and reproductive freedom.