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Hindu groups criticize JD Vance’s remarks on wife’s religion
Faith leaders say the Vice President’s comments reflect a “conversion mindset” and disregard for interfaith respect.
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Malvika Choudhary - Fri, 31, Oct 2025
- 14:43 EDT
- 21
(Top L-R) Hindu American Foundation, HinduPACT (Bottom L-R) Suhag Shukla, Ajay Bhutoria / File Photo
Hindu American organizations and community leaders criticized U.S. Vice President JD Vance over recent comments suggesting he hopes his wife, Usha Vance, who is Hindu, will one day embrace Christianity.
The remarks, made during a Turning Point USA event, have drawn sharp reactions for reflecting what Hindu groups described as a “conversion mindset” and lack of respect for interfaith harmony.
Also Read: VP Vance faces flak for hoping wife converts to Christianity
In response to Vance’s comments, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) issued a detailed statement on social media, urging the Vice President to show reciprocal respect toward Hinduism.
With respect @JDVance, if your wife encouraged you to re-engage with your faith, why not reciprocate that and engage with Hinduism too?
— Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) October 31, 2025
If you did you may well learn that Hinduism doesn’t share the need to wish your spouse comes around to see things as you do in terms of… https://t.co/fkQQgclNDl
“With respect @JDVance, if your wife encouraged you to re-engage with your faith, why not reciprocate that and engage with Hinduism too?” the organization said. “Hinduism is inherently inclusive and pluralistic in this way. We do not seek to convert anyone.”
HAF added that Hinduism embraces “multiple ways of conceiving of the Divine” and criticized what it described as a persistent compulsion among some religious communities to convert others.
The group said Vance’s remarks reflected “a belief that there is only one true path to salvation — a concept that Hinduism simply doesn’t have.” It also cited “a history of Christians denigrating Hindus” and an “outpouring of anti-Hindu sentiment online,” calling the comments indicative of ongoing intolerance.
Suhag A. Shukla, executive director of HAF, said the vice president’s remarks carried troubling implications. “The Vice President of the United States @JDVance just said that the Hindu traditions that his wife and millions of Americans share is just not good enough,” she wrote. “Not a winning strategy for someone who wants to be President for ALL Americans.”
You’ve said, movingly, @JDVance, that Usha is your greatest blessing. Why wouldn't you then appreciate the spiritual heritage that helped lead her to be that blessing in your life?
— Suhag A. Shukla (@SuhagAShukla) October 31, 2025
As Hindus, we believe that there are many ways to know the Truth — that One Divine Essence that… https://t.co/Q8nCkIh9r9
The HinduPact, another advocacy group, expressed disappointment, writing that while Usha Vance had inspired her husband to rediscover his faith, “instead of respecting hers, he is hoping for her conversion.” “@VP, we expected better from you. #RespectHinduDharma,” the group posted.
@SLOTUS inspired @JDVance to discover his faith. In turn, instead of respecting hers, he is hoping for her conversion. @VP, we expected better from you. #RespectHinduDharma https://t.co/KvZTaVAuzN@HinduVoteOrg
— HinduPACT (@HinduPACT) October 31, 2025
Indian American community leader and former Biden administration advisor Ajay Jain Bhutoria also called on Vance to apologize publicly.
“JD Vance must apologize publicly and reaffirm interfaith respect. As husbands, fathers, and leaders, we have a sacred duty to uplift, not undermine, those closest to us,” he said. “America deserves better. Our strength is in diverse faiths and freedoms — not yielding to pressure that erodes them.”
JD Vance must apologize publicly & reaffirm interfaith respect. “As husbands, fathers, & leaders,we have a sacred duty to uplift,not undermine,those closest to us. America deserves better.Our strength is in diverse faiths & freedoms—not yielding to pressure that erodes them. https://t.co/r6YB0a7rjT
— Ajay Jain Bhutoria (@ajainb) October 30, 2025
Vance pushed back against the criticism in a post on X, calling the reactions “disgusting” and accusing his detractors of “anti-Christian bigotry.”
“My wife is not a Christian and has no plans to convert, but like many people in an interfaith marriage, I hope she may one day see things as I do. Regardless, I’ll continue to love and support her,” he added.
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