As Vivek Ramaswamy faces backlash for an old video in which he explained his Hindu faith to an Iowa voter, the Hindu American community has strongly defended his religion and questioned the unofficial religious test he faces daily ahead of the May 5 primary.
Video Resurfaces
In the resurfaced video, Ramaswamy told a voter that in Hinduism, Jesus Christ is a son of God. "I know that is different than saying he's THE son of God but that's my view of Jesus Christ," he said, explaining that Hindus worship in churches as that is compatible with their religion. "One true God in many forms," Ramaswamy added. The voter insisted that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ, to which Ramaswamy responded that in his faith, it is one of many paths.
Accusations of Demeaning Jesus
As the video circulated, critics accused Ramaswamy of demeaning Jesus by comparing him to figures in Hinduism. A conservative commentator wrote, "Here is Vivek Ramaswamy Indiasplaining Jesus as 'a God' not the son of God to a voter. Right to their face, and they will still vote for it."
Hindu American Foundation Responds
Suhag Shukla, executive director of the Hindu American Foundation, said she too has faced such "street corner proselytization" as a Hindu American. "Telling a gubernatorial candidate, @VivekGRamaswamy, that his conception of God is wrong and consigns him to hell—when he didn't ask—is plain conceited religious hubris—and it's supremacism," she said. "But to debate whether the soteriological claims in this conversation are theologically grounded is to miss the point entirely."
Shukla added, "Every Hindu American like me has faced this sort of street corner proselytization. Vivek is that unique politician who cares enough to meet people where they are and dialogue about how he views divinity when he could easily just say 'no thanks' and move on."
Indian American Advocacy Council Condemns Trolling
Sidharth, co-founder of the Indian American Advocacy Council, condemned the trolling of Ramaswamy and noted that he is running for governor, not pastor-in-chief. "If your faith collapses because a Hindu says Jesus is a path to God instead of the ONLY path, the problem is your insecurity and bigotry. The Constitution BANS religious tests for office. If you think a non-Christian is disqualified from governing, just admit you don't actually believe in America," Sidharth wrote on X.
