At the Republican National Convention, Usha Chilukuri Vance, the wife of Democratic vice-presidential candidate JD Vance, gave a personal profile of their multi-cultural union. She described how her “meat and potatoes” father learned to cook Indian food from her immigrant mother and adapted to her vegetarian eating. The picture of JD Vance, a light Christian, preparing the spicy cuisine of his wife’s South Indian heritage was striking, especially in a party whose members are also generally pale and Holy.
Usha Vance avoided details that have caused her to face website resentment and hate. She instead made no mention of her Hindu culture or their intercultural partnership in her four-minute speech. Some social analysts claim that her inclusion as a Hindu American also honors the area, but others question whether the Republican Party is truly prepared for a Hindu second lady.
According to Dheepa Sundaram, a professor of Hindu Studies at the University of Denver, “it seems to me that her Hindu personality is more of a duty than an asset.” ” It also feels like the campaign wants to have it both ways: Usha may be Hindu, which is great, but we do n’t want to talk about it”.
In the weeks leading up to the election, Usha Vance has chosen to remain motionless about her faith. She declined to discuss her faith with The Associated Press, including whether she practices Hinduism, whether she attends Mass with her Catholic partner, or whether their three children are being raised according to a different faith traditions. Usha, who was raised by immigrant parents in a Hindu house in San Diego, did ensure that one of their children has an American name and that she and JD Vance were married in both” an American and an American wedding.”
Her Hindu qualifications may resonate with some Southern Asian voters, especially in swing state like Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina, where larger South Asian communities may play a role. However, Sundaram noted that while some Hindu conservatives may embrace Usha Vance, her Hindu identity does n’t seem to be part of the party’s public-facing strategy.
Suhag Shukla, executive director of the Hindu American Foundation, believes that Usha Vance’s effect on her father’s spiritual trip is” as Hindu as it gets”. She explained,” Hinduism is about finding your own course and getting in touch with your individual spirituality”. According to Shukla, Usha’s interracial union and her ability to hear from a variety of viewpoints are reflected in Hindu lessons. According to Shukla,” Hindu Americans assimilate but likewise retain what inspired them from their tradition and culture.” Our multicultural history puts us in a great position to interact with diverse people without reducing who we are.
Republican and Hindu American Sen. Niraj Antani of Ohio State likewise made a comment about Usha Vance’s possible charm to Hindu voters, especially those who support Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies. According to Antani,” A next woman who looks like us and speaks like us” may help draw in voters who have been trying to win.” However, he also acknowledged the challenges, stating,” If Republicans do n’t reach out to minority groups, we will lose elections”.
Vivek Ramaswamy, a Hindu businessman who ran for the 2024 Republican presidential election and now supports the Trump-Vance seat, made his belief central to his plan, emphasizing similarities between Hindu and Judeo-Christian principles. But, Ramaswamy declined to comment on Usha Vance’s religious history.
Karthick Ramakrishnan, a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, and professional director of AAPI Data, suggested that the reluctance to discuss Usha Vance’s Hindu personality and Ramaswamy’s battle in the principal may reflect broader problems within the Republican Party. More excluding Republicans have spoken up and opposed to Usha and JD Vance, according to Ramakrishnan. This, in my opinion, suggests that being open about one’s religious identity who is not Christian is a political price to pay. There’s still a long way to go”.
Antani dismissed the idea that Usha’s faith could be a disadvantage, arguing that” the racism is coming from racists, not Republicans”. He believes Ramaswamy’s loss was not due to his Hindu faith but because he was less well-known than other candidates.
As the campaign progresses, Usha Vance’s beliefs and the Republican Party’s policy on diversity will be closely watched, especially as the party attempts to broaden its appeal while preserving its main support base.
