The Hindu-Christian row triggered by Vice President JD Vance refuses to die down as commentators unravel several aspects of what he said about his religion and his wife’s religion, and then what he said in defence. Indian-origin Christian MAGA activist Dinesh D’Souza who supported JD Vance in his hope that Usha Vance one day embraces Christianity said Hindus should have no problem if Usha Vance converts to Christianity if Hinduism is truly inclusive.
What is the Hindu-Christian row?
At a Turning Point USA event, JD Vance said he hopes to see his wife embrace his faith. “As I’ve told her, and as I’ve said publicly, and as I’ll say now in front of 10,000 of my closest friends: do I hope, eventually, that she is somehow moved by the same thing I was moved by in church? Yes. I honestly do wish that, because I believe in the Christian gospel and I hope that eventually my wife comes to see it the same way,” JD Vance said. “But if she doesn’t, God says that everybody has free will, so that doesn’t cause a problem with me. That’s something that you work out with your friends, your family, the person you most love,” JD Vance said. Two major criticisms followed: one, as he called his Hindu wife an agnostic and two, overall for undermining his wife’s Hindu faith. JD Vance defended what he said and explained that Christians do want to share their faith with others and it is a completely normal thing. “My Christian faith tells me the Gospel is true and is good for human beings. My wife–as I said at the TPUSA–is the most amazing blessing I have in my life. She herself encouraged me to re-engage with my faith many years ago. She is not a Christian and has no plans to convert, but like many people in an interfaith marriage–or any interfaith relationship–I hope she may one day see things as I do. Regardless, I’ll continue to love and support her and talk to her about faith and life and everything else, because she’s my wife,” JD Vance said, repeating that he would love it if Usha Vance converts to Christianity.
Dinesh D’Souza stirs controversy with his story of conversion
Mumbai-born MAGA activist Dinesh D’Souza, in his attempt to support JD Vance, created another controversy as he spoke about the conversion of his ancestors to Christianity. He said they must have been so oppressed because of being low cast that they chose to convert to Christianity. However, this account was proved to be false as he himself wrote in his book that his grandfather told him they were Brahmins.
