Indian-American politician Vivek Ramaswamy has once again found himself at the center of a religious controversy after sharing a photo of himself participating in a Christian prayer session with pastors in Ohio. The image, posted as part of his campaign trail for the Ohio governor race, sparked a flurry of comments on social media questioning his religious identity and intentions, reported the Times of India.
Ramaswamy, who has consistently identified as a Hindu, was trolled with comments such as, “Did you convert?” and “Who are you praying to, Vivek?” Others accused him of pandering to Christians, with one user commenting, “You’re not Christian. You worship a Hindu deity.” Another wrote, “Vivek is not Christian, therefore he’s praying to a false god.”
One comment suggested that Ramaswamy’s actions showed a lack of religious clarity: “What god we praying to here. I’m confused.” Another accused him of hypocrisy: “Wait, now you’re pretending to be a Christian?”
However, a few voices came forward in defense of Ramaswamy, attempting to shed light on Hinduism’s inclusive nature. “This may help people understand Hinduism and Hindus better,” one user wrote. “As an Indian American Hindu like Vivek, I grew up attending Christian schools and celebrated Christmas. Hinduism does not forbid respect for great figures from other religions.”
Ramaswamy has previously addressed questions about his faith. In 2023, he stated, “I am a Hindu. I believe there is one true God. My faith teaches us that God resides in each of us and that we have a moral duty to fulfill our purpose on Earth. My faith is what gives me my freedom.”
The latest uproar highlights the complex dynamics of faith and identity faced by public figures, particularly those from minority religious backgrounds in Western politics.
