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US politician's Indian-origin wife defends his 'uncivilised' remark on Zohran's video

US politician's Indian-origin wife defends his 'uncivilised' remark on Zohran's video

India Today01-07-2025
Indian-origin author Danielle D'Souza Gill, wife of Texas Congressman Brandon Gill, stood by her husband's comment on Democrat Zohran Mamdani eating with his hands, saying she has 'always used a fork'.It began after a video of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani eating rice with his hands while speaking during an interview went viral on X.The footage, shared by a right-leaning X account, sparked debate online. Among those who reacted was Republican Congressman Brandon Gill, who reposted the video with a sharp remark: 'Civilised people in America don't eat like this. If you refuse to adopt Western customs, go back to the Third World.'advertisement
The comment sparked widespread criticism, especially after users pointed out that Gill's wife, Danielle, is of Indian origin - a culture where eating with hands is widely practised.But rather than distancing herself from the controversy, Danielle chose to double down in defence of her husband. In a post on X, she wrote, 'I did not grow up eating rice with my hands and have always used a fork. I was born in America. I'm a Christian MAGA patriot. My father's extended family lives in India, and they are also Christian, and they use forks too. Thank you for your attention to this matter.'Take a look at the post here:Her reaction added fuel to the fire, with several users questioning the intent behind both Gill and Danielle's framing of the issue.advertisementSeveral argued that the focus on eating habits was a deflection from policy conversations and bordered on cultural insensitivity.Mamdani, who recently became the first Muslim nominee from the Democratic Party for the New York mayoral race, did not respond directly to the row. But his viral video remained at the centre of the ongoing debate.Born to acclaimed Indian filmmaker Mira Nair, Mamdani secured a major win in the Democratic primaries, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo. His campaign, known for its unapologetically cultural tone, has included Bollywood-themed content and an active presence on social media.- EndsMust Watch
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