Oath on Bhagavad Gita, ‘Jai Shri Krishna’ greetings: How FBI chief Kash Patel embraces his Indian roots

Kash Patel is receiving a lot of praise on social media for his “sanskaar.”

The Indian-American has often spoken with pride about his Indian heritage.

ALSO READ | Kash Patel is new FBI director. His connection to India, explained

As he was sworn in as the ninth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), he said that he is living the ‘American Dream.’

From greeting people with ‘Jai Shri Krishna’ to touching his parents’ feet, Kashyap ‘Kash’ Patel has repeatedly displayed his Indian roots.

Patel, who is Donald Trump’s choice to head the American intelligence agency , also took his oath on the Bhagavad Gita.

Let’s look at some ways he has shown his Indian roots:

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Oath on Bhagavad Gita

On Friday, Kash Patel was sworn in as the Director of the FBI and he took his **oath on the Bhagavad Gita** , the sacred Hindu scripture.

Instead of the Bible, Attorney General Pam Bondi administered Patel’s oath using the Bhagavad Gita.

#WATCH | Washington | Kash Patel takes oath on the Bhagavad Gita, as the 9th Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Source: US Network Pool via Reuters pic.twitter.com/c5Jr0ul1Jm

— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2025

“Place your hand on the Gita and raise your right hand," Bondi instructed while swearing in Patel.

Patel’s girlfriend, **Alexis Wilkins** , held the Bhagavad Gita as he took the oath in the Indian Treaty Room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, with his family in attendance.

After being sworn in, Patel spoke about living the American dream, stating that a “first-generation Indian is about to lead the law enforcement agency of the greatest nation on earth.”

He said, “I am living the American dream, and anyone who thinks the American dream is dead, look right here. You are talking to a first-generation Indian who is about to lead the law enforcement agency of the greatest nation on earth. That can’t happen anywhere else.”

ALSO READ | What are Kash Patel’s plans to reshape the FBI?

‘Jai Shri Krishna’ greetings and touching parents’ feet

During his US Senate confirmation hearing, **Patel** greeted his parents with **‘Jai Shri Krishna’** after introducing them before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Jai Shri Krishna…….

How @Kash_Patel began his speech at his congressional hearing after first introducing his parents and sister from India….. pic.twitter.com/U9ateObPvS

— Alok Bhatt (@alok_bhatt) January 30, 2025

A viral video captured the Indian-origin lawyer bowing down to touch his parents’ feet before the proceedings began.

Patel expressed his gratitude to his family for making the journey from India to attend his hearing.

Kash Patel touches his parent's feet as a sign of respect at his confirmation hearing. pic.twitter.com/M5bcVJkhLD

— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) February 2, 2025

“I like to welcome my father and my mother Anjana who are sitting here today. They travelled to get here from India. My sister is also here. She also travelled the oceans just to be with me here today. It means the world that you guys are here. Jai Shri Krishna,” he said.

ALSO READ | Tulsi Gabbard's connection to India, explained

When Kash Patel faced racism

During the hearing, Senator Lindsey Graham asked Patel if he had ever experienced racism.

Patel acknowledged that he had, recalling a deeply offensive slur directed at him.

“Unfortunately, Senator, yes. I don’t want to get into those details with my family here,” he told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing.

🚨 KASH PATEL: I was targeted with racism and threats. I was called a 'detestable sand n**ger, who had no right being in this country... You belong with your terrorist friends.' But that's nothing compared to what the men/women in law enforcement face.pic.twitter.com/65MknYwR2F

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 30, 2025

“I was called a detestable – and I’ll apologise if I don’t get it all right, but it’s in the record – a detestable sand n**ger who had no right being in this country. You should go back to where you came from. You belong with your terrorist home friends. That’s what was sent to me. That’s just the piece of it, but that’s nothing compared to what the men and women in law enforcement face every day,” he said.

Kash Patel’s background: Explained in 7 points

1. Patel shared that his father had fled Idi Amin’s brutal regime in Uganda, where 300,000 men, women, and children were killed solely because of their ethnicity and resemblance to people like him.

2. According to Patel, his mother is originally from Tanzania and studied in India, as did his father. The couple married in India before later emigrating to New York, where Patel was born. He recalled growing up in a household with his father’s seven siblings, their spouses, and at least half a dozen children. “That’s the only way we knew how to do things at the time, in the ‘70s and ‘80s, the Indian way, but we would soon learn the American way,” he said.

3. As per his Department of Defense profile, Patel completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Richmond before returning to New York to pursue a law degree. He also obtained a certificate in International Law from the University College London Faculty of Laws in the United Kingdom.

4. Patel’s ancestral roots trace back to Bhadran village in Gujarat’s Anand district, from where his family migrated to Uganda 70 to 80 years ago, members of his community told the news agency PTI on Friday.

5. Leaders of the Patidar community stated that all of Patel’s close relatives had settled abroad. After moving to Africa, they eventually sold their ancestral homes in Bhadran.

6. Anand District BJP president Rajesh Patel said the family had briefly returned to India after Indians were expelled from Uganda in 1972 by Idi Amin, who had come to power through a military coup in 1971.

7. The family later relocated to Canada after their applications were approved. From there, they eventually moved to the United States, where Kash Patel was born in New York and later pursued a law degree.

With inputs from agencies