Usha Chilukuri Vance made headlines at the Republican National Convention by sharing the story of her multicultural marriage with JD Vance.
Her discussion of how their family embraces both American and Indian traditions, including her husband’s adaptation to a vegetarian diet and learning to cook Indian cuisine, was well-received.
However, AP News reported that the silence surrounding her Hindu faith has sparked debates about her role and identity within the Republican Party.
Usha Vance’s brief, four-minute speech at the RNC highlighted her family’s blend of American and Indian cultures but made no mention of her Hindu upbringing or the religious dynamics within her interfaith marriage.
Her decision to avoid discussing her faith has led to a range of opinions among political analysts and voters alike.
While some see her Hindu background as a potential asset that could appeal to South Asian voters in key swing states, others argue that it might be more of a liability in the predominantly Christian conservative circles of the Republican Party.
The couple’s interfaith relationship, which began when they met at Yale Law School, has been a subject of interest, particularly given JD Vance’s conversion to Catholicism in 2019.
Although Usha Vance played a significant role in her husband’s spiritual journey, she has chosen to remain private about her own religious practices.
Despite confirming that one of their children has an Indian name and that they celebrated both Indian and American wedding ceremonies, Usha Vance has not disclosed whether she is a practicing Hindu or how their children are being raised in terms of faith.
Her silence on the matter has not gone unnoticed. Usha Vance has faced online hate and vitriol regarding her religious background, reflecting the broader challenges faced by Hindu Americans within the political landscape.
The defeat of Vivek Ramaswamy, another Hindu candidate, in the primary election, further highlights the complexities of religious acceptance within the Republican Party.
Political analysts are divided on the implications of Usha Vance’s Hindu identity for the Trump-Vance campaign.
Dheepa Sundaram, a prominent analyst, expressed skepticism about the benefits of Usha Vance’s background within the Republican Party, stating, “It seems like her Hindu identity is more of a liability than an asset.” Sundaram also suggested that the campaign’s approach is conflicted, noting, “It also feels like the campaign wants to have it both ways: Usha may be Hindu, which is great, but we don’t want to talk about it.”
In contrast, Suhag Shukla, a representative of the Hindu American Foundation, emphasized the importance of Hindu culture’s pluralistic values.
Shukla remarked, “Hinduism is about finding your own path and getting in touch with your own spirituality.” She added, “Our pluralistic background puts us in a good position to get along with different people without compromising who we are. Hindu culture is very comfortable with differences of opinion.”
Shukla also highlighted a perception within the Hindu American community that the Democratic Party may not fully address their concerns, suggesting that Usha Vance’s presence in the Republican Party could have a positive impact on interfaith dialogue.
Despite these differing perspectives, the challenges within the Republican Party remain apparent.
Karthick Ramakrishnan, a political scientist, pointed out that since the convention, there has been increased vocalization from exclusionary elements within the party against Usha and JD Vance.
“This, to me, suggests that there is a political price to pay in terms of being open about one’s religious identity that is not Christian. There’s still a long way to go,” Ramakrishnan observed.
Ramakrishnan also noted that one of the reasons Indian Americans have consistently supported the Democratic Party is the rise of Christian conservatism and nationalism within the Republican Party. This trend, he argued, makes it less likely that Indian Americans will vote Republican or identify with the party.
Ohio State Sen. Niraj Antani emphasized the importance of outreach to minority groups, stating, “If Republicans don’t reach out to minority groups, we will lose elections.” He acknowledged the presence of racism but differentiated it from the broader Republican stance, asserting, “The racism is coming from racists, not Republicans.”
The potential impact of Usha Vance’s Hindu identity on the Trump-Vance campaign remains uncertain.
While some view her background as an opportunity to broaden the party’s appeal to minority voters, others see it as a point of contention that could alienate the Republican base.
Even Vivek Ramaswamy, who himself faced challenges as a Hindu candidate, declined to comment on Usha Vance’s religious background, highlighting the sensitivity of the issue.
