Controversy over Vice President JD Vance’s comments about Second Lady Usha Vance’s faith continued as former adviser to President Joe Biden, Indian-origin Ajay Jain Bhutoria, sought a public apology from Vance. At a Turning Point USA event, which became a major talking point for more than one reason, JD Vance revealed that he and Usha Vance are raising their kids as Christians and he would love it if Usha Vance embraces Christianity. But the Vice President mentioned that if she does not convert, Christianity has a path for that too. “As I’ve told her, and I’ve said publicly, and 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 that I was moved by church? Yeah, I honestly do wish that because I believe in the Christian Gospel, and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way. But if she doesn’t, then God says everybody has free will, and so that doesn’t cause a problem for me,” JD Vance said as he was asked about his multi-faith family.In explaining the situation of his family, Vance said Usha Vance grew up in a Hindu family but not a religious one. “In fact, when I met my wife … I would consider myself an agnostic or an atheist, and that’s what I think she would have considered herself as well,” Vance said, drawing massive flak as Usha Vance earlier said she came from a Hindu religious family. Even JD Vance earlier said that Usha Vance’s faith helped him connect with Christianity and he got baptized in 2019, years after their marriage. The remark was interpreted as condescending and insulting for Usha Vance’s Hindu Indian origin at a time Hindu festivals and deities have come under attack in the US from several mainstream personalities. “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,” Bhutoria wrote, describing this as un-American.“JD Vance publicly casts his wife Usha’s Hindu faith as a problem to be fixed”—a soul to “move” to Christianity. She sacrificed career, bore him 3 kids, stood by him. This isn’t American values; it’s weak leadership & poor politics ,bending to MAGA pressure, not defending her dignity,” Bhutoria wrote.
MAGA pushes back, priest says JD Vance did no wrong
While Hindu groups slammed JD Vance, MAGA supported Vance and asked Bhutoria whether he was seeking Vance’s apology for being a Christian. Priest Fr Matthew P Schneider commented that there is nothing wrong in parents raising their children with their religion and a spouse hoping their spouse converts to their religion. “Parents can raise their children with their religion. (Catholic parents promise to raise their kids Catholic during marriage preparation.) Spouses who are different religions can also hope their spouse converts to their religion. I don’t see what the issue is that a Catholic VP is raising his kids Catholic & hoping as wife becomes Catholic,” Fr Matthew wrote.
