US Congressman Brandon Gill has stirred controversy after branding a Patidar group volleyball match in the US as “casteist.” His remarks, shared on X (previously Twitter), sparked widespread criticism from Indian-People, who accused him of selling anti-India and anti-Hindu sentiments.
Gill, a Republican Congressman from Texas and a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, responded to a viral put up concerning the Patidar volleyball match in Dallas. He argued that America has no place for “overseas class allegiances” and warned that unchecked immigration with out assimilation may result in “cultural suicide.”
“America is the ‘land of alternative’ exactly as a result of we DON’T have a caste system. We can not maintain America’s prosperity and liberty by importing overseas class allegiances. Immigration with out assimilation is nationwide and cultural suicide,” Gill wrote on X.
His feedback have been directed at Dylan Patel, an Indian-American entrepreneur, who had proudly posted concerning the match attended by 8,000 members of the Leuva Patidar Samaj in Dallas. Patel described the occasion as a celebration of shared heritage amongst Gujaratis within the U.S., with many attendees being small enterprise house owners in rural America.
Gill’s remarks ignited backlash from Indian-People who accused him of misinterpreting the time period “caste.” Many identified that the Patidar group is a social and cultural group, not a caste within the conventional sense.
Lavanya Vemsani, a tutorial researcher, schooled Gill on the historical past of caste in India. “Stunned you mentioned this. Utilizing the time period ‘caste’ to discuss with a group occasion is deceptive and weaponizes anti-India rhetoric. The colonial idea of caste has lengthy been challenged in India, and nobody is attempting to import it to the U.S.,” she wrote on X.
Respectfully @RepBrandonGill, the misuse of the phrase “caste” and now your tweet are fomenting the kind of anti-Indian and anti-Hindu hate that days in the past led to actual violence.
That is over a volleyball “match” at a reunion of an Indian American immigrant group (wrongly…
— Suhag A. Shukla (@SuhagAShukla) March 3, 2025
Suhag Shukla, Government Director of the Hindu American Basis, additionally criticized Gill’s feedback, stating they have been fueling anti-Hindu sentiment. “Respectfully @RepBrandonGill, the misuse of the phrase ‘caste’ is inciting the sort of anti-Indian and anti-Hindu hate that led to violence simply days in the past. It is a group reunion of conventional farmers who now contribute to America as small retailer and resort house owners, creating jobs and paying taxes. Would you say the identical if it have been a Scots-Irish or Mennonite gathering?” Shukla posted.
Whereas many Indian-People condemned Gill’s assertion, some customers agreed together with his stance, arguing that caste-based divisions shouldn’t be carried over into American society. One person commented, “Pretty apparent, however a caste-based tradition will not be suitable with an egalitarian democracy. Solely immigrants who assimilate needs to be welcomed.”
One other wrote, “This is the reason some immigrant teams wrestle to suit into Western tradition. In the event that they have been the bulk, they’d impose caste divisions right here too.”
Regardless of these views, the vast majority of responses pushed again towards the mischaracterization of the occasion. Many emphasised that the match was a cultural celebration and a possibility for a diaspora group to remain linked to its roots.
Gill is not any stranger to controversy. He just lately proposed a invoice to exchange Benjamin Franklin’s face on the $100 invoice with Donald Trump’s, arguing that the change would honor Trump’s future legacy. Moreover, he has been vocal towards Range, Fairness, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and LGBTQ+ activism in authorities insurance policies.
He additionally beforehand known as for the deportation of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, stating, “America could be a significantly better place if she have been despatched again to Somalia.” His excessive positions have drawn each assist and criticism inside political circles.
Brandon Gill’s feedback concerning the Patidar volleyball match have uncovered the broader misunderstandings surrounding India’s social constructions within the West. Whereas some People see such cultural gatherings as divisive, many Indian-People argue that they’re important to preserving their heritage in a overseas land.
The backlash towards Gill highlights the continuing debate on immigration, assimilation, and cultural identification in the US.
As Indian-American communities proceed to develop and assert their place within the U.S., incidents like these function a reminder of the challenges they face in combating stereotypes and misinformation.
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