Overview

• Poet Rupi Kaur has declined an invitation to a White House Diwali event due to the Biden administration’s support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
• Kaur criticized the administration for 'funding the bombardment of Gaza' and justifying 'genocide against Palestinians', calling their actions contrary to the principles of Diwali.
• Kaur called on the South Asian community to hold the Biden administration accountable and urged celebrities to boycott the administration's events.
• Kaur has received widespread support for her stance, particularly from the South Asian community who view her action as a refusal to let her likeness be used to 'whitewash' administration's actions.
• Israel-Gaza conflict continues as Gaza's civilian death toll surpasses 10,000, despite international calls for a ceasefire.