When we don’t learn from history, it tends to repeat itself. Over 60 years have passed since then candidate John F. Kennedy was smeared by the press and political opponents for his Catholic beliefs, suggesting he would be answerable to Papal Authority versus to the American people. Tulsi Gabbard, a practicing Hindu, is now facing the same kind of baseless political smears.
In recent articles, the media’s Hinduphobic attacks are as offensive as they are transparent. Their strategy is clear. First, weave together sensationalist rumors and stories to smear Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa (Chris Butler) and the Science of Identity Foundation (SIF), an organization founded nearly 50 years ago to share the teachings and practices of Vaishnava Hinduism in the West. Then, because Tulsi Gabbard has acknowledged Chris Butler to be one of her teachers, use smears against Chris Butler and SIF to try to undermine Tulsi Gabbard’s credibility and insinuate that she would be beholden to a guru over the American people (i.e. the same angle used against JFK, Mitt Romney and others who have sought the highest office in the land).
In light of the media’s smears, it is important to set the record straight and recognize the widespread support Tulsi Gabbard has garnered in response to the attacks on her faith. 56 reputable organization representing millions of practicing Hindus both in the U.S. and India (including BAPS, VHPA, ISKCON, Art of Living, the World Vaishnava Association, Sri Saraswata Gaudiya Vaishnava Association, Sadhu Vaswani Mission, Chinmaya Mission, the Hindu American Foundation, SEWA International, and others) have rallied behind her, defending Gabbard’s right to practice her religion free from discrimination. These organizations have unequivocally stated that Gabbard’s connection to Vaishnava Hindu organizations or teachers is non-different than any other public figure crediting their religious beliefs or mentors or having spiritual advisors.
The distinction is the double standard. Many political leaders publicly credit religious figures or affiliations without facing the same level of scrutiny that Gabbard experiences. There is obviously a biased attempt to exploit misunderstandings and caricatures based solely on Gabbard being Hindu. Rather than embracing Gabbard’s diversity and the richness it brings to American politics, critics have chosen to attack her faith, distorting it into a tool for political discrediting.
The critics who continue to target Tulsi Gabbard’s spiritual background, rather than evaluating her on her record, her leadership, and her vision for the future, are missing the point. The reality is that the attacks on her faith are an attempt to sidestep the substantive discussions about her policies, her dedication to peace and national security, and her desire to work for a non-politicized intelligence agency that is committed to fact finding and truth.Tulsi Gabbard represents a fresh perspective—one that challenges the status quo in Washington and seeks to prioritize the interests of the American people above the political elite. Her willingness to challenge the military-industrial complex and advocate for diplomacy over endless wars should be viewed as a strength, not a weakness. Gabbard’s independence from party lines and entrenched political interests makes her a powerful, and much needed, voice for change.
Tulsi Gabbard’s qualifications for Director of National Intelligence are well-established, with experience in Congress where she served as a four-term Congresswoman, sitting on the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees among others, as a 2020 presidential candidate, in the U.S. military for more than two decades with three deployments to war zones in the Middle East and Africa, and where she currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel and Battalion Commander in the U.S. Army National Guard.
Gabbard’s deep understanding of foreign policy and national security, combined with her personal experience on the battlefield, equips her with a unique perspective on intelligence and military strategy. Yet, Gabbard’s qualifications have been largely ignored by critics who prefer sensationalism over substantive debate.
Tulsi Gabbard has shown time and again that she is a leader who defies easy categorization, embracing both spiritual and political independence. As she continues to be maligned, it’s crucial to recognize the growing support she has among diverse communities, especially those who value tolerance, personal growth, and the protection of individual freedoms. The attacks against her are not just attacks on her faith—they are attacks on the very principles of fairness, tolerance, and growth that this country was built upon.
It is time for the American public to look beyond the noise and evaluate Tulsi Gabbard based on her actions, her principles, and her unwavering commitment to the country. We can rest assured that, in the same mood JFK expressed, whatever issues come before Gabbard in her role as the Director of National Intelligence, she will make decisions in accordance with what her conscience tells her to be in the national interest, and without regard to outside pressures or dictates, religious or otherwise. Let us move away from sensational headlines and focus on Tulsi Gabbard’s proven ability to lead and serve with integrity.
– Rishi Kumar is a Silicon Valley tech executive, author of Winning the AI Arms Race, a former elected official, congressional candidate, and executive board member of the California Democratic Party.
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