An unabashedly proud Hindu, an American citizen of Indian origin who is hoping to run for President, Vivek Ramaswamy, has surely caught the world’s attention. His eloquent words have resonated deeply within the traditionally closed-off American conservative sphere, instilling a sense of optimism for the future of America and fostering a newfound appreciation for his cultural heritage from his ancestors.

However, the apparent Hinduphobia directed toward Vivek is deeply troubling. Instead of recognising him as an American citizen, some individuals insist on focusing on his Hindu identity and label him as an “upper caste Brahmin.”

Vivek has repeatedly underscored these 10 “truths” or commandments he believes in:

• God is real. 
• There are two genders. 
• Human flourishing requires fossil fuels. 
• Reverse racism is racism. 
• An open border is no border. 
• Parents determine the education of their children. 
• The nuclear family is the greatest form of governance known to mankind. Capitalism lifts people up from poverty. 
• There are three branches of the U.S. government, not four. 
• The U.S. Constitution is the strongest guarantor of freedoms in history.

These points seem to resonate a lot with most of the American population. We’ve also learned that Vivek attended a Catholic school and possesses an extensive knowledge of the Bible, rivaling most Christians in America. Nevertheless, his strong Hindu upbringing has also played a significant role in shaping his beliefs and convictions.

Hinduphobic attacks on Vivek Ramaswamy

Just a few days ago, excerpts of a memo from a super PAC published in the New York Times about how Vivek can be a “liability” for DeSantis went viral on social media. Vivek is perceived as a challenger to DeSantis, who is striving to hold onto his second-place position behind former President Donald Trump. As the Iowa caucuses loom six months away, Vivek did make notable gains in certain public opinion polls, narrowing the gap with DeSantis. The same memo also pinpoints his Hindu upbringing as well as his caste. The memo states, 

“Ramaswamy — a Hindu who grew up visiting relatives in India and was very much ingrained in India’s caste system — supports this as a mechanism to preserve a meritocracy in America and ensure everyone starts on a level playing field.”

The memo also goes as far as advising DeSantis to employ derogatory nicknames in the style of former President Trump, referring to Ramaswamy as ‘Fake Vivek’ or ‘Vivek the Fake.’ The strategy intends to generate a significant media moment for coverage.

When asked to comment on the decision to emphasise Vivek’s religion and background, the super PAC’s CEO, Chris Jankowski, explained, “We are highlighting that his philosophy of government is a direct reflection of his life experience. When his parents moved here from India, they had an 85 percent inheritance tax. In fact, his support of the inheritance tax is connected to the argument he makes in his book against meritocracy.”

Pastor’s Hinduphobic remarks

On July 23, American pastor and televangelist Hank Kunneman criticised Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican candidate for the 2024 US Presidential elections. Kunneman contended that if Vivek didn’t prioritise serving the Lord Jesus Christ and upholding Judeo-Christian principles, he would be in conflict with God.

“We are in danger as a country and listen to me Generation Z and millennials. Those of you, who are watching, may like this new young guy (referring to Vivek Ramaswamy). If he does not serve the Lord Jesus Christ and stand primarily for Judeo-Christian principles, you will have a fight with God…What are we doing, even entertaining the fact you’re going to have some dude put his hand on something other than the Bible,” he had said.

Kunneman’s remarks carried racist undertones but were met with significant approval from his audience. He cited an example of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, claiming that God favoured him for removing idols from his kingdom. Kunneman argued that America should exercise caution and not allow Vivek to introduce unfamiliar deities into the White House. Kunneman also criticised past US Presidents who had supported Judeo-Christian values, insisting that God is intolerant of other gods. He asserted that the nation’s blessings stemmed from avoiding the introduction of idols and that presidents should uphold this standard by not importing foreign beliefs.

Conservative Christians 

Vivek is part of a unique group of candidates who don’t fall into what the Republican states might consider “conventional.” A substantial portion of the Republican voter base comprises evangelical Christians, who are a vital constituency for the GOP (Grand Old Party). To secure the Republican nomination, Vivek needs to gain support from this influential group. However, his Hindu faith is seen as a significant obstacle in this pursuit. Many evangelical conservatives have expressed reservations about Ramaswamy’s religion, drawing comparisons to former US President Barack Obama. Christian activist Abby Johnson criticised Vivek’s faith by stating that “Satan is the author of confusion.”

Vivek has consistently and openly embraced his faith, emphasising that he is a person of faith just as Evangelical Christians in the state are. He has addressed the matter straightforwardly, explaining that although he didn’t grow up in a Christian household, he aligns with the same Christian values upon which the nation was built. 

Islamist organisations, too spew hate against Vivek Ramaswamy

America has the largest Christian population, so resistance to “other” religions may be expected. However, it is interesting to see Islamic organisations spew Hindu hate against Vivek. In this tweet, it has been revealed that in the magazine The Progressive, an article titled “Vivek Ramaswamy’s Embrace of Hindu Nationalism” written by one Safa Ahmed has surfaced. 

The article claims, “The GOP presidential candidate views Narendra Modi’s authoritarianism as a model for the United States.” 

Upon digging a little, Safa Ahmed, whose bio reads, “Safa Ahmed is a second generation Indian-American activist from Raleigh, North Carolina.” turns out to be a Media Associate of the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), a radical Islamist organisation like to Jamaat-e-Islami. 

A tough journey ahead for Vivek Ramaswamy 

Throughout the 20th century, accusations have arisen that right-wing conservatives have promoted Hinduphobic narratives through the spread of false information, negative portrayals, and conspiracy theories. This bias has even found its way into American popular culture, exemplified by Steven Spielberg’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.’ Conservative voters frequently assess a candidate’s faith as an indicator of their values, lifestyle, loyalties, and leadership priorities.

In Western, English-speaking democracies, Vivek Ramaswamy’s path to leadership within his party appears more challenging compared to Rishi Sunak’s ascent within the British Conservative Party. In the United States, a significant majority of Republican lawmakers identify as Christian, with only a small minority professing other religious affiliations. In contrast, notable figures within the UK’s Conservative Party, such as Rishi Sunak, Priti Patel, and Suella Braverman, openly adhere to religions other than Christianity.

According to a 2012 Pew Research Center study, 18% of Indian Americans identify as Christians, with 5% being Catholics, while the majority, at 51%, practice Hinduism. It’s worth noting that Hindus comprise less than 1% of the overall adult population in the US. 

Indian Americans who converted to Christianity

Bobby Jindal

Piyush Jindal, aka Bobby Jindal, was born and raised in the Hindu faith. His conversion to Christianity was a gradual and challenging process, initiated by a Southern Baptist friend who gave him a Bible with his name embossed in gold and suggested that his parents were destined for hell. This encounter prompted Jindal to delve deeper into his Hindu beliefs, eventually leading to his conversion to Christianity.

Although Jindal’s conversion was met with disapproval from his parents, who perceived it as overshadowing their own achievements, he believed that if Christianity is viewed as one of several equally valid religions, the sacrifices he made, including strained family relationships, were not in vain.

Jindal has since emerged as a prominent figure in the “religious right” movement, advocating for socially conservative values and championing the rights of religious believers, particularly conservative Christians. He has expressed support for the teaching of creationism or intelligent design in public schools and has been a vocal proponent of religious freedom. 

Nikki Haley

In contrast to Vivek Ramaswamy, who continues to practice Hinduism, Nikki Haley was born and raised in a Sikh family but converted to Christianity. She explained her choice by saying, “We chose Christianity because of the way we wanted to live our life and raise our children,” as The New York Times reported in 2012. Like fellow GOP candidate Ron DeSantis, Haley doesn’t openly display her faith. According to her longtime aides, she doesn’t often cite Bible verses, but her religious beliefs hold significance in her life. 

We will have to wait and watch how Vivek will navigate this Hinduphobia and emerge victorious.