There was a hawan, a sacred flame, swirls of saffron, Sanskrit chants and smoke. On the other side, was the one for whom these prayers were being offered: American presidential candidate Donald Trump, complete with a vermillion tika. Why? Because Trump has the love and support of the Right-wing group Hindu Sena.

In Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, demonstrations, dharnas and fasts are nothing new. Causes are dime a dozen, as are demonstrations and vigils. It has, however, rarely been the site for a hawan.

Organised by Hindu Sena’s 31-year-old chief Vishnu Gupta, this was an invocation to the gods to make Trump the President of the United States of America. In this prospect, apparently, rests the hopes and dreams of Hindu Sena. Dressed in white kurta-pyjama and a khaki Nehru jacket, Gupta sat next to the ceremonial fire, accompanied by aides who held up posters of Trump. The champion of combovers and impractical walls could be seen smiling or waving in the photos, and sporting a red tika. Because that’s what Trump needed to bring out his inner Hindu: a smear of vermillion.

Sitting next to Gupta was the pandit, chanting mantras, adding ghee to the holy fire, and invoking the Hindu pantheon to make sure that Trump becomes the next American President.

“We believe Donald Trump is the only saviour of the world today, and only he can act against Islamic terrorism, and hit Pakistan to stop terror emanating from its soil,” said Gupta, at one point. His devotion to Trump and this puja evidently coming second to scoring a few interviews with the members of the press who had gathered at the scene.

According to Gupta, the Hindu Sena has 500-700 members all over the country. Gupta’s earlier claims to fame were an attack on the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP’s) office, and a slapping attempt carried out on Abdul Karim Tunda, a 70-year-old man suspected of being an Lashkar-e-Toiba man. Tragically, only about 10 showed up to help Trump’s campaign. Not that this dampened Gupta’s enthusiasm.

“I have seen many of Trump’s speeches, he has spoken of banning Islam in America, said that America does not need Muslims,” said Gupta. “Donald Trump has been able to understand the nerve of the American people after the 9/11 attacks. Islamic terrorism has transgressed all boundaries. Every country today is a victim of it.” Gupta is convinced that once Trump comes to power, Pakistan will be ‘in control’. “If Trump comes to power, then we hope that he will kill terrorists like Masood Azhar, and Dawood Ibrahim, like America had finished Osama bin Laden in Pakistani territory,” said Gupta. “I would request Modiji to support Donald Trump in his quest for the complete annihilation of Islamic terrorism.”

“But doesn’t Trump eat beef?” a journalist asked Gupta, who encouraged the gathering to keep an eye on our priorities.

“Dekhiye, mudda yahan beef ka nahi hain, mudda hai Islamic terrorism,” he said. (“See, here the issue is not of eating beef, but of Islamic terrorism.”)

Gupta was also asked about his views on Trump’s nasty comments on a journalist’s periods, but one of his Sena members came to his rescue. “Humaare yaha jo roj Lalu aur Mulayam bayaan detein hain, pehle unko rokiye!” said one. (“First stop Lalu and Mulayam who give similar comments everyday!”)

Asked about Trump’s view that Indians were taking away jobs from Americans, Gupta said, “Every country makes its economic policy with its best interests in view. If Donald Trump has demanded jobs for Americans first, then I don’t think there is anything wrong in that.” He went on to say, “Indians run off to America to earn a little more money. Why can’t they stay back in India and earn?”

From this we can surmise the Hindu Sena isn’t getting much by way of donations from Non-Resident Indians.

Meanwhile, Trump smiled benevolently from the Hindu Sena’s printouts and posters. If he does end up becoming the American president, you know who to thank. Gupta’s Hindu Sena, obviously.