FBI Director Kash Patel became the focus of outrage among some MAGA supporters Monday night after he shared a simple message celebrating Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights observed by more than a billion people worldwide.
In a post on X, Patel wrote, “Happy Diwali – celebrating the Festival of Lights around the world, as good triumphs over evil.” Patel, the first Indian American to serve as FBI director, was born in New York to parents of Gujarati descent. His family hails from Bhadran village in Gujarat, India.
His post was intended as a message of goodwill, but it quickly drew criticism from a vocal group of right-wing users who took offense at the cultural celebration. Jeremy Carl, who describes himself as being “on the front lines in a war against secularism,” reposted Patel’s Diwali message and asked, “Do you see the problem yet?”
Other users responded with increasingly hostile remarks. John McGlone, identifying himself as an “unapologetic Christian American,” wrote, “This is a Christian Nation. Check your foreign stuff at the gate.” Another user, Johnny Blacksmith, who says he was “right wing before it was cool,” replied, “Not compatible with American tradition.”
Marine Corps veteran Jim Eagle reacted with, “Shut the hell up,” attaching a gif of actor Terry O’Quinn as “John Locke” from the television show Lost.
Ben Garrett, a pastor at Refuge Church in Ogden, Utah, added, “Go back.” Podcaster Joel Webbon went further, writing, “Go back home and worship your sand demons. Get out of my country.”
Chris Nelson, a Florida Christian, commented, “What the hell is this? This is AMERICA. Not India.” Another user, Scott Hambrick, responded with a single word: “Deport.”
While Patel did not reply to the backlash, many others on the platform defended him, calling the criticism bigoted and un-American. Supporters pointed out that Diwali is celebrated by millions of Americans across faiths and that Patel’s post reflected a message of light over darkness rather than politics.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between cultural inclusivity and nationalism within certain segments of the political right. Despite the wave of hostility, Patel’s Diwali post received thousands of likes and supportive replies, suggesting that many Americans viewed his message as a symbol of unity rather than division.
As of Tuesday morning, Patel has not issued any further statements on the matter, but the conversation around faith, identity, and patriotism continues to ignite fierce debate across social media.