The lawyer from India named Kashyap” Kash” Patel, who was recently appointed FBI Director under Donald Trump, has publicly acknowledged his historical foundations by posting an article on social media that examines how his Hindu culture have affected his outlook, principles, and management style. The post offers a rare glimpse into the personal convictions of a man more frequently known for his takedowns of the so-called deep state, which has since gone viral among Indian-American and pro-MAGA circles.
With a consistent thread running through it: the influence of Hinduism on his life, the article follows Patel’s journey from his immigrant family’s humble beginnings to the upper echelons of US government. Patel was raised in a traditional joint family home in New York and was raised in a traditional Hindu household. His education was steeped in Hindu customs, festivals, and moral principles. His father, Pramod Patel, fled Uganda in 1972 as part of Idi Amin’s brutal regime, eventually settling in the US after spending a short time there. His mother, Anjana Patel, was born in Tanzania. Together, they created a place where hard work, education, and respect for elders were not just encouraged, but they were also sacred.
Patel, who shared the article on X ( formerly Twitter ), emphasized how his personal and professional journey has been guided by the principles of dharma, karma, and seva, which are righteous duty, action with accountability, and selfless service. According to the article,” Kash’s upbringing was rooted in the Hindu values of hard work, respect, and education,” which has influenced his worldview. It goes on to say that his parents raised him with respect for all faiths, and that he “embodies the universally accepted message” that Swami Vivekananda famously delivered in his 1893 speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago.
During his confirmation hearing for the FBI position, Patel’s deep respect for his cultural heritage was clearly evident. He turned to his parents in the audience and touched their feet before making his opening remarks, a customary Hindu expression of reverence and gratitude. The act represented a rare and obvious affirmation of Indian cultural values in the heart of American power, drawing attention from both sides of the political aisle.
Patel, a well-known figure in conservative US politics, frequently exhibits religious relics associated with Hindu customs. He is frequently seen sporting a sacred thread (kalava or mauli ) on his wrist, a typical sign of Hinduism. He has used the phrase” Jai Shri Krishna,” which is both a greeting and a devotional exclamation, in public to invoke the Hindu deity Lord Krishna. Such expressions are consistent with broader Hindu customs, such as touching parents ‘ feet as a sign of respect, lighting diyas during Diwali, and visiting temples during significant holidays. These behaviors highlight his cultural and spiritual identity, especially as diaspora communities become more prevalent with Hindu values.
Patel capped his statement with the phrase” Jai Shri Krishna,” which is rarely heard in such settings. The” Victory to Lord Krishna” salutation echoed through the hearing room, making it a hot topic on WhatsApp and social media in the Indian diaspora.
While the gesture attracted the ire of many members of the Indian-American community, liberal commentators who saw it as a fusion of religion and democracy also expressed their appreciation for it. Patel has never apologized for his beliefs or background. He has consistently argued that the ability of American democracy to accommodate and embrace various cultural expressions is its strength.
Patel’s standing as a Hindu public figure is significant, especially in a political climate where Indian-American representation has frequently been restricted to sanitized cultural references. Patel has embraced his identity, whether it is supporting the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, quoting Swami Vivekananda, or criticizing Western media for what he refers to as “biased narratives” about India, as opposed to others who distance themselves from the country’s civilisational heritage for fear of political correctness.
The FBI director’s public embrace of his Indic roots represents a change in how Indian-Americans represent themselves, as well as in how they are represented. Being American and being Hindu are not contradictory identities, in Patel’s opinion; they complement one another. And his unapologetic fusion of both worlds sends a powerful message in an era where identity politics predominates in public discourse.
Trump’s 2024 campaign and the broader MAGA coalition also gain a layer of complexity as a result of Patel’s rise. Trump’s inner circle, which includes among others a growing number of Indian-origin figures, is far from being a monolith of evangelical Christians, and incorporates them with a distinct cultural and philosophical worldview.
With his most recent social media post, Patel has made it clear that his Hindu heritage is more than just a footnote in his biography; it is a living, breathing force that continues to influence his decisions, influence his ethics, and define his mission. In doing so, he has opened the door to a more encompassing discussion about what it means to lead while remaining rooted in one’s cultural heritage.
According to the article he shared,” While Patel leads a secular institution, his background and values inform his approach to governance.” It further states that his “promise to restore justice and fairness” is guided by both spiritual conviction and personal conviction.
