Washington, D.C.: Even as several US states, including California, celebrated Diwali as a statewide holiday for the first time, a disturbing wave of hate and religious intolerance emerged online from far-right circles in America. Prominent Indian-origin officials and Hindu practitioners were targeted with vitriolic comments after sharing Diwali greetings on social media.

Diwali greetings spark hate from MAGA followers

Top Indian-origin officials in the Trump administration — FBI Director Kash Patel and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard — became targets of abuse on X (formerly Twitter) after posting festive wishes.

Gabbard, the first Hindu elected to the US Congress, had written:

“Sending my heartfelt wishes to everyone who is celebrating Diwali! May the light of God’s love guide our path, remove the shadows of doubt, and inspire us to reflect His love in all that we do.”

Her message was soon flooded with hateful replies, including remarks like “Not My God,” “Get out of my country,” and “Diwali is un-American. Move to India.” Some users posted middle-finger emojis, while others accused her of spreading “paganism.”

Similarly, Patel’s post wishing followers a Happy Diwali was met with an onslaught of bigoted comments such as “Seek Jesus,” “Hellish celebration,” and “This is America. We don’t celebrate Diwali.”

A user pointed out the irony of the backlash:

“It’s amusing how much racist hatred is being spewed on Kash by Christians likely of his own party. There really are two Americas.”

Nikki Haley also targeted

Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who was born to Sikh parents but converted to Christianity, was also attacked online after wishing followers “light, hope, and goodness” on Diwali. Critics questioned her patriotism with comments like “So India first, Nikki?” and “Repent, pagan.”

Haley responded by sharing the official US Presidential Message on Diwali, saying, “Have a great day! Wishing you light, hope, and goodness as well.”

Trump celebrates Diwali in Oval Office

Despite rising online hate, President Donald Trump marked the festival by lighting diyas in the Oval Office alongside Patel and several Indian-American business leaders. However, his gesture did little to deter the MAGA camp from continuing its hate-filled rhetoric against Hindu celebrations.

Religious intolerance on display

Christian nationalist figures like Bradley Pierce, a Texas-based attorney, and Pastor Joel Webbon amplified anti-Hindu sentiments during Diwali week.

Pierce wrote, “Making America great again means repenting of idolatry in our land, not celebrating it,” and labelled Diwali “the worship of demonic false gods.”

Webbon went further, posting:

“‘Paperwork Americans’ are NOT Americans. I will NOT honour their ‘holy’ days… Go back home and worship your sand demons.”

Growing unease among Indian-American community

The surge of hate coincides with mounting tensions over immigration policies and the H-1B visa debate, often linked to Indian professionals. Civil rights groups have called the Diwali-related backlash “a reflection of deep-rooted xenophobia masquerading as religious purity.”

Journalist Mehdi Hasan condemned the rhetoric, tweeting:

“The MAGA leaders still haven’t realized what kind of base they’ve created. Talk about Frankenstein and his monsters.”