We condemn the recent divisive and ugly comments made by Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy where he smeared U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley and others as “modern Grand Wizards” of the Klu Klux Klan. When asked to clarify his inflammatory remarks– in an interview mere hours after a recent mass shooting and apparent terrorist attack targeting Black people in Florida–Ramaswamy instead defended and doubled down on them. Associating the KKK, one of the most racist, horrific, and murderous entities in U.S. history, with a Black member of Congress is factually and historically inaccurate, and morally obscene.  It is unbefitting of anyone aspiring to serve in public office or in leadership positions.

As Indian Americans of varying professional backgrounds, ages, political affiliations, and geographies, we stand firm in the belief that civil debate and the ability to express different viewpoints and policy ideas are important values and norms. But we stand equally united against misinformation, hate, and racist rhetoric.  We are deeply concerned about Ramaswamy’s extremist positions and candidacy, which are wildly out of step with the vast majority of the American people, and certainly of the Indian American community. But we believe his grotesque invocation of the KKK crossed a line. Ramaswamy demeaned an honorable Black member of the U.S. Congress, and understandably angered many communities–including ours–all in an effort to, in his own words, “provoke” and ensure he remains in the news purely for self-serving political reasons. 

It would normally be an inspiring and proud moment to see an Indian American such as Ramaswamy rising on such a major stage.  Here, it is not.  Ramaswamy’s repeated inflammatory comments are an embarrassment.  The undersigned individuals call on Ramaswamy to retract his shameful statements, apologize to Representative Pressley and to the American people, and reflect on his clear lack of understanding of U.S. history and sense of right and wrong.