Vance in the eye of the storm over his wife Usha’s faith remark

New Delhi: US Vice President JD Vance is in the eye of the storm after his controversial statement in public that he hoped one day his Hindu wife Usha would accept Christianity, though making it clear that she had the free will to choose her religion.

He said that he eventually hoped that Usha, who grew up in a Hindu household, “is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved in by church.”

This has sparked a fierce debate in the social media after a video of his statement made to a large conservative audience at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi this week, went viral. It forced Vance to clarify his stand.

Vance issued a statement in which he said his wife encouraged him to re-engage with his faith and assured that he wouldn’t pressure his wife to convert, acknowledging that faith is a personal journey and a matter of “God-given free will”.

Vance drew an applause from the conservative youth audience at the Turning Point event. He, however, faced strong backlash from many Indian-Americans and pro-Hindu elements.

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) came down heavily in a post on X, saying,” If your wife encouraged you to re-engage with your faith, why not reciprocate that and engage with Hinduism too?” The group said Hinduism was essentially inclusive and pluralistic and it does not seek to convert anyone.

A post on social media said, “It’s weird to throw your wife’s religion under the bus, in public, for a moment’s acceptance by groypers.” Vance responded on X, ” What a disgusting comment, and it’s hardly been the only one along these lines. “First off, the question was from a person seemingly to my left, about my interfaith marriage. I’m a public figure, and people are curious, and I wasn’t going to avoid the question.

Vance’s wife Usha grew up in a Hindu household. Her parents had migrated to US from Andhra Pradesh in 1980s. According to media reports, Usha had once spoken of her parents being observant Hindus.

The US Vice President with his wife and children, had visited the Akshardham Temple during his recent India visit.

–INDIA NEWS STREAM