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Delhi Hindu group offers prayers for Trump's safety

The priests offered prayers for his long life. The rituals will continue for seven days.

Activists from Hindu Sena perform a special prayer for the longevity of Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump after he survived an assassination attempt, in New Delhi, India, July 16, 2024. / REUTERS/Priyanshu Singh

A Hindu group that marks Donald Trump's birthday each year in Delhi offered prayers for his safety on July 16 following the assassination attempt on him

Attended by almost 50 people, the ceremony performed by the Hindu Sena (Hindu Army), saw an idol of Baglamukhi, a goddess associated with power and protection, placed alongside a poster of the former U.S. president, with the words "Long Live Trump" printed on it.

The priests applied a holy vermillion mark on the forehead of Trump's image and made offerings to a fire, praying for his long life. The rituals will continue for seven days.

The group has celebrated Trump's birthday each year since he entered politics, with a cake, party hats and balloons. It also held fire rituals before the previous two U.S. presidential elections. "Only Trump as a global leader has the courage to speak against radical Islam and its followers," said Ved Murtinand Saraswati, one of the priests leading the rituals on July 16.

An activist from Hindu Se applies a "tilak" mark on a poster of Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump during a special prayer for his longevity after he survived an assassination attempt, in New Delhi, India, July 16, 2024. / REUTERS/Priyanshu Singh

The group made headlines in India in January after it said it defaced signs on a road in the capital named after Babur, the founder of the Mughal empire. Hindu groups consider Muslim Mughals as invaders who subjugated Hindus and thrust Islam upon them and do not deserve to be commemorated.

The group's members say they are not associated with any political party. Their website says they work for the "welfare and upliftment" of the Hindu community.

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