Who is Rupi Kaur? Why She Declined White House Diwali Invitation?

Rozana Spokesman  | Amanat Thaper

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Renowned Author and Illustrator Rejects Invitation Citing US Government's Stance

Who is Rupi Kaur?

Who is Rupi Kaur? Canadian poet Rupi Kaur has made headlines by declining an invitation to a White House Diwali celebration. In a social media statement, Kaur explained that her decision to turn down the invitation from the US government was rooted in their response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas War. Additionally, she called upon other South Asian individuals to demand accountability from the US government regarding the matter.

Who Is Rupi Kaur?

Rupi Kaur, a Toronto-based artist, is best known for her influential work in the field of poetry and illustration. Her debut book, "Milk And Honey," released in 2014, swiftly gained popularity and garnered over a million copies in sales, securing the number one spot on the New York Times bestsellers list. Kaur's creative work delves into themes of love, loss, trauma, healing, femininity, and migration, resonating with a broad audience. With more than four million followers on Instagram, she has solidified her position as a prominent figure in contemporary literature and art.

Why Rupi Kaur Declined White House Diwali Invitation?

Rupi Kaur's decision to decline the White House's Diwali event invitation stemmed from her refusal to participate in "any invitation from an institution that supports the collective punishment" of civilians. The event, set for November 8, is hosted by US Vice President Kamala Harris.

Furthermore, Kaur accused the US government of justifying what she described as the "genocide against Palestinians." In a social media post, she expressed, "Today, the American government is not only funding the bombardment of Gaza, they continue to justify this genocide against Palestinians, regardless of how many refugee camps, health facilities, and places of worship are blown to bits. They reject the call for a humanitarian ceasefire, a baseline action being demanded by the United Nations, organizations like Doctors Without Borders, Red Cross, and a majority of countries."

Kaur's statement pointed out that over 10,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the conflict, with the United Nations reporting that 70% of the casualties are women and children. She also raised concerns about Israel's use of white phosphorus bombs, a matter that Amnesty International believes should be investigated as a potential war crime.

Boycott Gains Support: Rupi Kaur's decision to decline the White House Diwali invitation has received support from several South Asian personalities as Actor Richa Moorjani from Netflix's 'Never Have I Ever' and Content creator Payal.

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