‘Indians destroyed wildlife in Canada and US’, ‘Diwali is demon worship’: How blatant Hinduphobia and false vilification is being normalised by Christian extremists in the West

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights and triumph of good over evil, was celebrated across many countries in the world this year. The celebration illuminated the world with lights, positivity, and joy. However, amidst the Diwali festivities in the US, Christian extremists resorted to vilifying the Hindu festival as “demonic” and slandering those partaking in it. Out of nowhere, Indians have also been accused of ‘destroying’ wildlife in the US and Canada. On 20th October, Kash Patel, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director and a Hindu by faith, wrote a harmless X post wishing everyone a happy Diwali. However, this did not go well with Christian delusionists, who found it inappropriate that a Hindu of Indian origin not only has reached the top echelon of American power but also dared to unapologetically celebrate his religious festival. “Happy Diwali – celebrating the Festival of Lights around the world, as good triumphs over evil. A very Happy Diwali to all,” Patel wrote. Happy Diwali – celebrating the Festival of Lights around the world, as good triumphs over evil. pic.twitter.com/Kj5cEl1Kzv— Kash Patel (@Kash_Patel) October 20, 2025 “Sir, please don’t promote the festivals of foreign gods in America,” one X user replied. Another one wrote, “How about no. In America we are Christian.” One X user went a step ahead and called for the deportation of all Indian-American Hindus from the US. “I want to live in America, not India. We need to deport all Hindus.” A “very catholic” woman labelled Hindus as “false god worshippers” as if she has regular meetings with Jesus. “My politics is whatever gets pagan demon false god worshipers out of all leadership roles in our country. Diwali involves the worship of false gods and invites the presence and blessing of these demon gods. Lights are ceremonially lit to invoke the goddess of wealth,” the X user wrote. My politics is whatever gets pagan demon false god worshipers out of all leadership roles in our country.Diwali involves the worship of false gods and invites the presence and blessing of these demon gods. Lights are ceremonially lit to invoke the goddess of wealth. https://t.co/4rIsHavL98— Bree Solstad (@BreeSolstad) October 20, 2025 Meanwhile, a right-wing YouTuber wrote, “Go back home and worship your sand demons. Get out of my country.” Go back home and worship your sand demons. Get out of my country. https://t.co/20xEPWQtNt— Joel Webbon (@rightresponsem) October 20, 2025 Another one labelled Hindu deities as “demons” and asserted that “America wasn’t founded to protect or promote demonic worship like this and it has no place here.” These are the demon gods Hindus are worshipping todayAmerica wasn’t founded to protect or promote demonic worship like this and it has no place here pic.twitter.com/XYl6GvDhPV— Smash Baals (@smashbaals) October 21, 2025 One Bradley Pierce responded to Patel’s post and wrote, “Celebrating the worship of false gods provokes the righteous judgment of Christ upon our land.” Celebrating the worship of false gods provokes the righteous judgment of Christ upon our land. https://t.co/AYtiPYDkyw— Bradley Pierce (@bradleywpierce) October 21, 2025 Similar hateful and racist ‘deport Hindus’ and ‘Christ is God’ sort of comments and quotes have been flooded by Christian supremacists in response to the US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard’s Diwali post. One X user wrote, “Diwali is un-American. Move to India.” Several others replied, “Not My GOD!” with middle finger emoticons. Some called the post “gross”, while others called for Gabbard’s deportation. 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. pic.twitter.com/2sdOZjj8nd— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) October 20, 2025 Another ‘America First’ activist called the Trump administration a “joke” as US President Donald Trump celebrated Diwali in the White House along with prominent Hindu Americans. This administration is a joke. pic.twitter.com/AXmzeWUcNK— Nicholas J. Fuentes (@NickJFuentes) October 21, 2025 Meanwhile, Rift TV’s CEO Elijah Schaffer called Hinduism a “demon religion” and wrote, “Thank you to all our politicians wishing us a happy day to celebrate a demon religion Diwali Nothing is better than having our elected & appointed officials celebrate demonic anti-Christian culture This is what our founding fathers wanted That’s why they died for us.” Thank you to all our politicians wishing us a happy day to celebrate a demon religion Diwali Nothing is better than having our elected & appointed officials celebrate demonic anti-Christian culture This is what our founding fathers wanted That’s why they died for us— E (@ElijahSchaffer) October 21, 2025 Indians poaching wildlife in Canada and America: A New absurd addition to the anti-India online hate campaig