Kash Patel Critiques Foreign Media's Angle on Ayodhya Temple, Defends Modi's Leadership

Mar, 7 2025

Kash Patel, the recently appointed FBI Director, is making headlines not for his new role but for his outspoken criticism of international media coverage regarding India’s Ayodhya Ram Temple. According to Patel, this isn't just an oversight; it's deliberate misrepresentation. The temple’s inauguration, steeped in a rich tapestry of more than 500 years of Hindu history, has been overshadowed, he argues, by relentless focus on the historical Babri Masjid dispute—what he calls a 'disinformation campaign'. Such framing, he believes, is calculated to chip away at Prime Minister Modi’s reputation and weaken India's global standing.

Patel has also pointed out that parallels being drawn between Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump stem from establishment circles unable to stomach their influential styles. He notes that Modi and Trump, in many ways, disrupted traditional political norms, which seems to unsettle many in the media sphere. Patel argues that media scrutiny often veers into aligning their leadership styles rather unfairly.

The site of the newly inaugurated temple, where a Hindu place of worship stood as early as the 1500s before its destruction, holds significant historical and religious value. Patel, a figure with deep Hindu roots himself, underscored this connection not just in words but also in action. During his swearing-in ceremony, he took his oath on the Bhagavad Gita, a gesture rich with cultural significance that tied his personal identity to this broader dialogue. Furthermore, he ended his Senate confirmation remarks with the phrase 'Jai Shri Krishna'—a powerful expression of his heritage.

Patel’s influence extends to the speech of Trump during the latter's visit to India, where keen references to icons like Sachin Tendulkar and Swami Vivekananda were included. These local touches were in no small part thanks to Patel, who played a significant role in drafting the address.

His journey to becoming FBI Director wasn't without hurdles. Confirmed by a narrow margin of 51-49 in the Senate, Patel has nevertheless garnered praises from Trump, who hailed him as potentially the best director to ever take the helm. Amidst his professional accolades, Patel continues to be a defender of Hindu heritage and an advocate for a more nuanced understanding of India's history and politics.