Indian-born GOP candidate knocks out Nikki Haley over accusations of racism

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley was called out by claims of racism from a naturalized American running for Congress.

US Navy combat veteran Burt Thakur was not born in the United States, but his love for his new homeland led him to give up his citizenship in India to serve in the military. He took to social media to deliver a scathing rebuke of Haley, who was born Nimarata Nikki Randhawa to immigrant parents in South Carolina.

Raised by grandparents in New Delhi, Thakur immigrated to the United States in the 1980s and rose to prominence as the Jeopardy champion during Alex Trebek's final season as host. Currently a Republican candidate in the United States, Thakur is seeking to win election to the United States House to represent Texas' 26th congressional district.

He expressed how “offensive” Haley's claims are for someone who was “actually born in India” in a lengthy post on X.

“As an American who was born in India, it is very offensive to me to see Nikki Haley take every opportunity she has to claim that she has experienced a great deal of anti-Indian racism in America, all while she was the GOVERNOR OF SOUTH CAROLINA, or be AMBASSADOR OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE UNITED NATIONS or now a candidate for president,” he began.

As an American who was born in India, it is very offensive to me to see Nikki Haley take every opportunity she has to claim that she has experienced a great deal of anti-Indian racism in America, all while she was the GOVERNOR OF THE SOUTH . CAROLINA, or being an AMBASSADOR… pic.twitter.com/6I0UVLSdPW

— Burt Thakur (@BurtThakurTX) January 22, 2024

Citing a recent interview in which Haley claimed she was “too brown” to be accepted into a beauty pageant when she was younger, Thakur wrote, “While I'm sure there were many instances of hardship, which brought the breed to this race (pun intended) does nothing to break the glass ceiling.”

He went on to note how the “view of literally every LEGAL IMMIGRANT here in the US” is that America is a land of opportunity.

“I refuse to let my career be a hindrance; if anything, it's a strength,” he continued. “Using it as a divisive tactic is what elected radical left Democrats and the Joe Biden administration have used to divide and conquer, framing everything as 'racist,' from questioning an election to mandates from vaccinating to 'climate change'”.

“Funny how @VivekGRamaswamy could run his whole campaign without crying once about racism!” Thakur went on to refer to businessman Vivek Ramaswamy ending his bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and endorsing former President Donald Trump after the Iowa caucuses.

“You want proof of why our country is great – I'll give you my story,” Thakur continued in his post.

“The fact that a boy who grew up in the foothills of the Himalayas can now run for US CONGRESS as a REPUBLICAN should show you that the only barriers to our ambitions in this country are in our own minds. . We are not victims, we are the GREATEST nation on Earth,” he said.

“Let's start acting like it's Nikki.”

Thakur's impassioned words were applauded by X users.

Well said. If I were in your district, you would have my vote.

— John David Loewen (@loewenjohndavid) January 23, 2024

We are definitely masters of our own destiny. Stop blaming others.

— Marcia A Reinardy (@JohnsonReinardy) January 22, 2024

Thanks Burt for your kind story and common sense beliefs! Best wishes for your political ambitions. You will go far!

— Laurie Donaldson (@Laurdonhope) January 23, 2024

Thank you Burt Thakur for your eloquent message! Haley must read it and take your message to heart. He talks like a Democrat victim and that is neither inspiring nor a good look for women or people of Indian descent in this great nation of opportunity for all! #RespectForBurt https://t.co/TbYathNns5

— *~* (@AlbaVeritas) January 23, 2024

Thanks, I totally got it. These people thrive on victimhood and division. It is very upsetting to hear the cry of oppression from the people sitting on top of the world mocking the rest of us.

— OhHoney (@oh_honey32934) January 23, 2024

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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida, where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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