Monday night saw a wave of surprise and outrage among MAGA supporters after FBI Director Kash Patel openly celebrated Diwali, the Hindu “Festival of Lights,” a vibrant autumn tradition observed by over a billion people, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists.
“Happy Diwali – celebrating the Festival of Lights around the world, as good triumphs over evil,” Patel wrote in a post on X.
Patel made history as the first Indian American to serve as FBI director. Born in New York, he is of Gujarati descent, with his family roots tracing back to Bhadran village in Gujarat, India.
When Patel shared his Diwali celebration online, it sparked a backlash from MAGA supporters, who flooded social media with criticism and outrage.
Jeremy Carl, who calls himself “on the front lines in a war against secularism,” reposted Patel’s message, adding, “Do you see the problem yet?”
READ: California becomes third US state to recognize Diwali as holiday (
X user John McGlone, who identifies as an “unapologetic Christian American,” responded on the platform, “This is a Christian Nation. Check your foreigner stuff at the gate.”
Social media reactions to Patel’s post ranged from critical to confrontational. X user Johnny Blacksmith, who says he was “right wing before it was cool,” wrote, “Not compatible with American tradition.” Marine Corps veteran Jim Eagle kept it blunt, replying, “Shut the hell up,” alongside a gif of “Lost” actor Terry O’Quinn as John Locke. Meanwhile, Ben Garrett, pastor at Refuge Church in Ogden, Utah, simply shot back, “Go back.”
The backlash continued as podcaster Joel Webbon wrote, “Go back home and worship your sand demons. Get out of my country.” Chris Nelson, a Christian from Florida, added, “What the hell is this? This is AMERICA. Not India.” X user Scott Hambrick chimed in with a one-word response: “Deport.”
In response to Webbon’s reshare, Navjot Pal Kaur, a Sikh American from New York City, posted a screenshot on X highlighting the far-right pastor’s comment to Patel’s Diwali greeting, in which Webbon had written, “Go back home and worship your sand demons.”
READ: Loudoun County in Virginia recognizes Diwali (
Amid the online vitriol directed at Patel, some users offered support, with one X user taking the moment to wish him a happy Diwali. “There’s enough things to get mad at you for, but you sending Diwali greetings isn’t one of them,” he wrote.
Diwali’s presence in the United States has been steadily increasing, with California, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania now officially recognizing the festival as a state holiday.
Earlier this month, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill formally recognizing Diwali as a state holiday.
Patel, whose appointment earlier this year marked a significant milestone for the Indian-American community, took his oath of office with his hand placed on the Bhagavad Gita.