The Vivek Ramaswamy Bid: Will A Christian America Embrace A Hindu Presidential Candidate?

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy made headlines in February as he announced his candidacy for the US presidential elections. In a tweet, Ramaswamy expressed his intention to run for president.

He wrote, "We've celebrated our “diversity” so much that we forgot all the ways we’re really the same as Americans, bound by ideals that united a divided, headstrong group of people 250 years ago. I believe deep in my bones those ideals still exist. I’m running for President to revive them".

While Ramaswamy's stance against "wokeness" and his plan to address drug cartels by sending the military to the southern border certainly appeals to the Christian conservatives, some of them find themselves hesitant to support him upon discovering that Ramaswamy is a Hindu.

Ramaswamy, aged 37, was brought up in an Indian immigrant household and practices Hinduism.

This proves to be the fundamental challenge for a section of conservative voters who form a significant portion of the Republican electorate. A large section of such voters is inclined to evaluate candidates based not only on their policy proposals but primarily on their personal beliefs and their their religious faith.

Across the twentieth century, many right-wing conservatives were observed to have propagated Hinduphobic narratives through misinformation, negative portrayals, and conspiracy theories.

These narratives depicted Hindus and Hinduism as exotic, pagan, or even demonic. Much of this narrative seeped into American popular culture as well, with Steven Speilberg's 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom' being a notorious example of it.

For many conservative voters, a candidate's faith serves as an indicator of their values, lifestyle, loyalties, and priorities as a leader. Which is why, they face an additional obstacle in their approach to Ramaswamy.

Within Western, English-speaking democracies themselves, Ramaswamy's road to becoming the leader of his party seems to be more challenging than Rishi Sunak's rise among the British Conservative party across the Atlantic.

It is pertinent here to note that according to the Pew Research Center, the majority of Republicans in Congress identify as Christian, with only a handful being Jewish or not listing their religious affiliation. While the Democrats have a more diverse representation, with Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims serving in Congress.

Meanwhile, in the UK, there are notable figures in Conservative Party who openly identify with religions other than Christianity. For instance, Rishi Sunak, a prominent member of the party, has been vocal about his Hindu faith. Another influential Conservative, Priti Patel, has also discussed her Hindu beliefs. Moreover, Suella Braverman, who succeeded Patel as Home Secretary, is known to be a practicing Buddhist.

Though many politicians of varying ethnicities have been elected in Republican Party, Christianity serves as a common link between them. No doubt that half of the Republicans believe that being Christan is crucial to be truly American.

Clearly, the religious identity of a potential leader of the party matters for Republicans in the US in ways it does not for the Conservatives in the UK.

He appears to be increasingly gaining recognition in the right-wing circles as he describes himself as "anti-woke" and opposes the 'modern woke-industrial complex' which according to him, preying on human insecurities and advances micro-identities under the garb of social, political, and environmental causes.In a recent interview, Ramaswamy discussed his faith and expressed his belief that Jesus was "a son of God".

It is important to note that this perspective differs from the central Christian belief that Jesus is the son of God. Ramaswamy's Hindu background, which embraces multiple deities, allows for a more expansive interpretation of religious teachings.

Despite not being a Christian, he openly discusses the importance of belief in God and expresses concern about the growing secularism in America. He also emphasises values such as marital fidelity, duty, religious liberty, and self-sacrifice.Instead of dismissing the theological differences between Hinduism and Christianity, he acknowledges their significance and understands why they matter to others. He does not have a quick response to disregard these differences.

Throughout his campaign, Ramaswamy has shared videos of an Iowa pastor likening him to the biblical figure of King David. Additionally, he responded at length to a question about his spiritual beliefs during a town hall in New Hampshire.

In Iowa, a woman blessed him in the name of Jesus Christ by placing her hand on his chest. He expressed his agreement with a heartfelt "Amen" at the conclusion of her prayer.

Speaking to Christian audiences, some of whom see polytheism as the primary problem, he emphasises on his belief in one God even as many Hindu scholars argue that the complexity of Hindu theology defies categorization as purely monotheistic or polytheistic.

While the majority of Indian Americans, including Hindus, lean towards the Democratic party, some conservatives see an opportunity to connect with a population that values family life, marriage, and education.

During his presidency, Trump hosted Diwali celebrations at the White House and the Republican National Committee recently established a Republican Hindu and Indian American Coalition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India is also popular among a growing number of right-wing Indian Americans, as evidenced by the 50,000-strong crowd that gathered when he appeared with Trump in Houston in 2019.

Ramaswamy has spoken at events organized by HinduPACT, a right-wing US group aligned with PM Modi's ideology.

Ramaswamy believes that committed believers from different traditions share more similarities than non-serious and nominal adherents within the same faith and that the belief in a higher power and the values of humility and respect that come with it are more unifying than the specific name of the God people pray to.

The American right wing is currently witnessing an ideological divide amid the Presidential race as they face the dilemma of Policy vs Religious Faith.

How the core Republican voters open up to Vivek Ramaswamy will determine both: how much has Christian America re-aligned itself to face new cultural challenges and how much has the Republican party adapted itself to face them.