Indian-American Vivek Ramaswamy, who is a Republican contender in the 2024 US Presidential race, has doubled down on his views regarding his religion by appearing to hit back at those criticising him for touting his Hindu faith. In response to a post on X (formerly Twitter), which featured a clip of him answering a question about his Hindu faith, Ramaswamy shared his “food for thought”.
During a CNN town hall in Iowa on Wednesday night, Ramaswamy said that he “respectfully disagrees” after an audience member asked him to address the perception of some voters that his religion is not what America’s “founding fathers” based the country on.
Now, the Republican contender has emphasised his point with yet another post on X.
“Food for thought for the ‘Vivek-just-tells-people-what-they-want-to-hear’ crowd: Do you think that it’s easier or harder for me to win GOP primary voters by openly embracing my Hindu faith? Just do the math,” he wrote on the micro-blogging site on Wednesday.
His post was in response to another on X that shared a video clip of Ramaswamy’s answer to the audience member from the town hall, and said he did not hold back “on speaking his convictions”.
“If you haven’t watched this clip of Vivek last night on CNN talking candidly about his Hindu faith, give it a listen. He doesn’t hold back on speaking his convictions. Respect,” the X user wrote as a caption.
Ramaswamy, who is known to be vocal about his Hindu faith, has consistently assured the American audience that his religion would not be a hurdle if he is elected as the country’s president. He has talked about studying in a Catholic school, and in September, he said that he has read the Bible “more closely than probably most of my Christian friends”.
During Wednesday’s town hall, Ramaswamy reiterated his point.
“I would rather speak the truth and lose an election than to win by playing political snakes and ladders… I am going to tell you about my faith. I am Hindu. I went to Christian schools. And I can tell you with confidence that we share the same value set. I will tell you about my faith. My faith teaches me that God puts each of us here for a purpose, that we have a moral duty to realise that purpose,” he said.
He spoke about his “traditional upbringing”, and said that certain primary principles of his Hindu faith are in sync with the “Judeo-Christian values”. “And so yes, I believe God put us here for a purpose. My faith is what leads me on this journey to run for president,” he added.
