Opinion
07 Nov 23

Poet Rupi Kaur rejects invitation to the White House in protest of Biden Administration policy on Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Canadian poet, illustrator and photographer took to social media today to share a letter declining an invitation to a Diwali event in the Whitehouse, which Kaur described as "an institution that supports the collective punishment of a trapped civilian population—50% of whom are children".

Punjabi-Canadian poet Rupi Kaur, whose 'Instapoetry' work 'Milk and Honey' sold over 3 million copies, has today taken to social media to reject an invitation from the White House for a Diwali event being held tomorrow night, November 8th.

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights and is celebrated in all regions over India, it symbolises, light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.

In a letter posted on both her Instagram and her X, Rupi Kaur shared a letter to her 4.5 million+ following where she described Diwali as 'righteousness over falsehood and knowledge over ignorance'.

The poet then went on to detail that she was rejecting an invitation to attend a Diwali event held in the White House in protest of the Biden administration's policy on the Israel-Hamas war.

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A post shared by rupi kaur (@rupikaur_)

In the letter Kaur details that 'In the Sikh tradition during the time of Diwali, our 6th guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji help free 52 fellow political prisoners from unjust imprisonment. We call this day Bandi Chhor Divas."

Kaur continues 'I have always used this day to reflect on what it means to fight for freedom against oppression'.

The poet goes on to to cite that for this reason she cannot in good conscience attend a Diwali event hosted by a government who is not only 'funding the bombardment of Gaza, they continues to justify this genocide against Palestinians'.

'Regardless of how many refugee camps, health facilities and places of worship are blown to bits'.

At the end of her statement Kaur implores fellow South Asians to speak out themselves on the situation in Gaza, saying 'we cannot remain silent or agreeable just to get a seat at the table'.

Kaur closes the letter calling for a ceasefire and urging other South Asians to do the same: 'Let us sign petitions. Attend Protests. Boycott. Call our reps and say - stop the genocide'.