When JD Vance told a packed stadium that he hoped his wife might one day be touched by “the Christian gospel” the way he had been, he unintentionally stepped into a sensitive debate within India and its global diaspora about religious liberty — and revived memories of the country’s complicated encounters with Christian missionary history.

The comment came during an appearance with Turning Point USA at the University of Mississippi. An audience member had asked Vance why Christianity seemed so central to American identity for conservatives.

In a lengthy response that began with immigration, Vance shifted to discussing his own marriage: “My wife didn’t grow up Christian. She comes from a Hindu family, though not a particularly devout one.”

Vance was raised evangelical and formally converted to Catholicism in 2019. His wife, Usha Vance — who was raised in Southern California in an Indian Hindu family — maintained her own religious identity.

“Do I hope she’s eventually moved by the same experience I had in church? Yes, I do,” he said. “I believe in the Christian gospel, and I would love for her to see it as I do someday.”

The remarks quickly circulated among Indians and Indian Americans, prompting heated discussion online. In a now-deleted X post, Vance defended himself, saying that — like many in interfaith marriages — he wished his wife might one day share his faith, but would support her regardless.

Vance later explained that both he and Usha were essentially non-religious when they met.

“We decided to raise our kids Christian,” he said, noting their eight-year-old son recently took his first communion — a statement that received loud applause.

Usha Vance’s View

In a June interview with Meghan McCain, Usha Vance openly discussed raising kids in an interfaith home. She made it clear she has no intention of converting.

Although the children attend Catholic school, she emphasized they will be free to choose whether they wish to be baptized. They are also taught Hindu beliefs and traditions through her family.

“My grandmother is deeply devout,” she said. “She prays daily, visits the temple, and performs her own pujas.”

During the Mississippi event, Vance stressed that Christianity teaches respect for free will: “You figure these things out as a family and trust God to guide you.”

Why His Remarks Sparked Anger

Even with Vance’s emphasis on choice, many listeners were upset. Some viewed his hopes for his wife’s conversion as disrespectful toward Hinduism — particularly during a time when Indian immigrants feel increasing scrutiny in the U.S.

“It’s completely unacceptable,” said Mumbai native Kush Mehta. “Everyone should have the right to their own spiritual identity. No one should feel pressured into another faith.”

Indian commentators echoed this sentiment. CNN-News18’s Shubhangi Sharma argued that Vance’s statement implicitly minimized Hindu identity, while The Hindu journalist Areena Arora wrote that Vance’s words became political the moment he suggested his faith was a preferred ideal.

Arora pointed to Vance’s own past statements about Catholic doctrine influencing his worldview, suggesting this made his wife’s Hindu upbringing seem less valued.

Historical Context: India’s Colonial Memory

For many Indians, Vance’s comments touched a deep historical nerve. Christian proselytizing during European colonial rule is widely remembered as intrusive — sometimes forced — religious pressure.

“Hindus and Christians understand religion very differently,” explained Butler University professor Chad Bauman. “Because of colonial-era evangelizing, many Hindus still view Christianity as a foreign, intrusive faith.”

This view, he noted, is especially common among supporters of India’s ruling BJP, which promotes a Hindu nationalist ideology.

India has long experienced religious and ethnic tensions, but violence against Christians and Muslims has grown more pronounced in recent years. Critics argue religious freedom in India has deteriorated, and many states now regulate religious conversions.

Bauman added that Vance’s remarks reinforce a belief held by some Indians: that American conservatism privileges Christianity above other religions.

Broader Backlash

Social media users condemned Vance for framing Usha’s Hindu identity as something she should eventually shed.

Others pointed out that Usha’s Hindu values helped support Vance during difficult periods in his life — only for her faith to now face political scrutiny.

Yet many Indians take pride in seeing a Hindu woman in such a visible role in U.S. politics.

“It’s inspiring to see someone with Indian roots in such a powerful position,” said Mehta. Others argued that if she did convert, it could spark backlash among Hindu communities who view her as a cultural symbol.

Vance Responds

Vance defended himself on X, calling the criticism “anti-Christian bigotry.” He reiterated that his wife has no plans to convert and was the one who encouraged him to revive his own religious identity.

“Like many couples in interfaith marriages, I hope she one day sees my perspective,” he wrote. “But I will always support her.”

Some journalists noted this contradicted earlier public comments where Vance credited his wife’s Hindu upbringing for grounding him.

Political Implications

Vance’s remarks come as he contemplates a possible 2028 presidential run. Former President Trump has described him as the “future of the MAGA movement.”

Critics argue the comments alienate religious minorities and undermine American pluralism. Supporters say the backlash unfairly targets his faith.

Usha Vance has not commented publicly, but some politicians — including Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna — urged the public to avoid attacking the families of political figures.

Meghan McCain praised Usha as a moderating, unifying figure within the Republican Party