“Why Not Engage with Hinduism Too?” Hindu American Foundation Challenges JD Vance After Remarks on Wife Usha’s Faith

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) publicly criticized US Vice President JD Vance for saying he hopes his wife Usha, who is Hindu, may one day convert to Christianity, urging him to also “reciprocate” by engaging with Hinduism’s ideas and practices. The group called Hinduism “inherently inclusive and pluralistic,” emphasizing it does not seek conversions nor require spouses to adopt one another’s beliefs.

HAF also flagged a pattern of anti-Hindu content online and alleged attempts by some groups to proselytize Hindus, arguing such pressure is disrespectful and corrosive to genuine interfaith respect. The organization asked Vance to acknowledge Hinduism’s positive influence on him and to affirm the rights of Hindus to practice freely, noting that some voices in his political base appear hostile to religious freedom when it comes to Hindus.

Vance later clarified that Usha has “no plans to convert” and that he would never pressure her, describing their interfaith marriage as rooted in love and mutual respect. He said his wife encouraged him to reconnect with his own faith and defended his original comment as a personal hope consistent with his beliefs, rejecting characterizations of his remarks as an attack on Hinduism.