US Congressman Labels Patidar Volleyball Match as “Casteist,” Faces Backlash from Indian-Americans

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Dallas, TX – US Congressman Brandon Gill has sparked controversy by branding a community volleyball tournament organized by the Indian-American Patidar community as “casteist.” His remarks on social media triggered strong reactions from Indian-Americans, who accused him of spreading anti-India and anti-Hindu sentiment.

Gill’s Controversial Remarks

The controversy began when Dylan Patel, a Gujarati-origin entrepreneur, posted on X (formerly Twitter) about the Leuva Patidar Samaj volleyball tournament in Dallas. Patel highlighted how the event had drawn nearly 8,000 attendees from a tight-knit community of around 40,000 Patidars in the U.S., many of whom are motel and gas station owners.

“My caste (Leuva Patidar Samaj) volleyball tournament in Dallas is unreal—8,000 people here out of ~40,000 people in the US. Everyone from a part of Gujarat and the same way of life in the US. Literally, everyone here owns a motel or gas station in rural America,” Patel wrote.

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Gill, a Republican representative from Texas’ 26th District and a staunch supporter of Donald Trump, responded critically, arguing that the U.S. should not allow “foreign class allegiances.”

“America is the ‘land of opportunity’ precisely because we DON’T have a caste system,” Gill posted. “We cannot sustain America’s prosperity and liberty by importing foreign class allegiances. Immigration without assimilation is national and cultural suicide.”

Backlash from Indian-Americans

Gill’s remarks were met with sharp criticism from Indian-Americans and scholars, who accused him of misrepresenting caste and fueling anti-Indian bias.

“Respectfully, the misuse of the word ‘caste’ and now your tweet are fomenting the type of anti-Indian and anti-Hindu hate that days ago led to real violence,” said Suhag Shukla, Executive Director of the Hindu American Foundation. “This is over a volleyball tournament at a reunion of an Indian-American immigrant community (wrongly termed ‘caste’) of traditional farmers now contributing to America as small store and hotel owners creating jobs and paying taxes.”

Shukla further challenged Gill’s stance, asking, “Would you have said the same thing if Scot-Irish farming families from West Virginia or Mennonite families from Pennsylvania were meeting up in Dallas? We need our elected leaders to do much better.”

Lavanya Vemsani, a researcher on South Asian studies, also weighed in, pointing out that caste in India has evolved significantly from its colonial-era definition. “Surprised you said this. Someone used the term ‘caste’ to refer to a community event must not be interpreted as imposing the ‘caste’ ideology as described in textbooks,” Vemsani wrote. “That colonial idea of caste was dead for a long time in India. I don’t think anyone is trying to import it here. It’s just a community event.”

Mixed Reactions on Social Media

While many condemned Gill’s remarks, some users on X echoed his concerns. “This is why some population groups are not fit for Western thinking and thought,” one person wrote. Another added, “A caste-based culture is not compatible with an egalitarian republican democracy.”

Others supported Patel’s viewpoint, arguing that the event was about cultural bonding rather than enforcing social divisions. “It’s funny to see people talk about the caste system and divide it into just a handful, but it’s much deeper. Not that I really care that much, but having a broad community that is tight-knit with shared experiences is awesome,” Patel responded.

Gill’s History of Controversial Statements

Brandon Gill has been at the center of several controversies in recent weeks. He recently advocated for replacing Benjamin Franklin’s image on the $100 bill with Donald Trump’s and has been vocal against USAID policies related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and LGBTQ+ activism.

Additionally, Gill circulated a petition calling for the deportation of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, claiming, “And frankly, America would be a much better place if she were to be sent back to Somalia.”

A Larger Debate on Caste and Identity in the U.S.

The controversy highlights the ongoing debate about caste in the U.S., with some policymakers pushing for caste-related policies while others argue that caste distinctions in India have significantly transformed. The Patel community, known for its strong business presence in America, particularly in the hospitality industry, owns nearly 90% of motels in small-town America, contributing significantly to the economy.

While Congressman Gill framed the volleyball tournament as a symbol of “foreign class allegiances,” Indian-Americans emphasized that it was simply a cultural event, reflecting shared heritage rather than caste hierarchy.

As discussions on immigration, assimilation, and cultural identity continue, Gill’s remarks have intensified a broader conversation about how caste is perceived in the U.S. and the risk of misinterpretations fueling division.

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