Social media continued to buzz with excitement, with posts such as, “He has not forgotten his roots & sanskar!!” and “Bhagavad Gita binds the hearts of Hindus together. This is proven once again as Kash Patel is sworn in as the 9th Director of the FBI, taking oath on the sacred Hindu text of Bhagavad Gita.”

One emotional post read, “My heart was full seeing Gita,” while another noted, “Very few powerful world leaders remember their roots! Kash Patel is one of them. He took the oath on Bhagavad Gita, honouring his Indian roots, parents, and heritage. So proud of him. He joins the club of Rishi Sunak! Once again, Congrats Kash!”

Another post celebrated the significance of the moment, stating, “His oath on the Bhagavad Gita reflected his Indian heritage, symbolising truth, duty, and justice -- values deeply embedded in both Hindu philosophy and law enforcement.”

“This appointment marks a historic moment for Indian-Americans in US law enforcement and governance,” another user added.

As Patel took charge of the FBI, voices of support poured in, stating, “Sanatan Hi Satya Hain,” “People Respect and Have Faith in Sanatan Dharma,” and “Hindus and Hindutva rising globally.”

A user remarked, “Mr Kash Patel took oath as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on the Hindu holy book Bhagavad Gita. Congratulations, Mr Patel. Nothing gives more pride than respecting and celebrating one’s own roots.”

“A beautiful reminder that leadership is rooted in values, no matter the book,” another posted.

Addressing the gathering after the swearing-in, Patel said that the American dream is alive as a “first-generation Indian kid” is about to take charge of the FBI. “I am living the American dream,” Patel remarked, standing before his sister Nisha Patel, Wilkins, and other relatives.

Born to Hindu parents from Gujarat, Patel’s family had immigrated to the United States from Canada after fleeing Uganda to escape ethnic repression. His journey from a first-generation immigrant to the head of America’s premier investigative agency marks a momentous chapter in both American and Indian-American history.

Patel’s Warning

Patel, who succeeded Christopher Wray who was slated for a 10-year tenure but one that was cut short, started out with a dire warning to America’s enemies: “We will hunt you down in every corner of this planet,” he said. Wray resigned after Trump’s election two years short of his term and his predecessor James Comey had barely completed four of his 10-year term after President Donald Trump fired him in 2017.

Patel overcame opposition from Democrats, one of whom warned at a press conference outside the FBI headquarters in Washington DC, that Patel “will cause evil in this building behind us”.

“I am honoured to be confirmed as the ninth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” Patel wrote in the first post on X with the handle “FBI Director Kash Patel”.

“The FBI has a storied legacy -- from the “G-Men” to safeguarding our nation in the wake of 9/11. The American people deserve an FBI that is transparent, accountable, and committed to justice. The politicalisation of our justice system has eroded public trust -- but that ends today.”

“My mission as Director is clear: let good cops be cops -- and rebuild trust in the FBI.”

“Working alongside the dedicated men and women of the Bureau and our partners, we will rebuild an FBI the American people can be proud of.”

“And to those who seek to harm Americans -- consider this your warning. We will hunt you down in every corner of this planet.”

“Mission First. America Always. Let’s get to work.”

Collins, the Republican Senator who voted against Patel, said in a statement, that Patel “has made numerous politically charged statements in his book and elsewhere discrediting the work of the FBI, the very institution he has been nominated to lead,” which she said has “cast doubt on Patel’s ability to advance the FBI’s law enforcement mission in a way that is free from the appearance of political motivation”.

Patel’s nomination was among the most controversial by Trump in his second term, along with Tulsi Gabbard, for director of national intelligence, and Robert F Kennedy Jr, for heading health and human services. Even some Republicans had misgivings about them but most of them all fell in line in the end.

Patel is a former public defender who has seen a meteoric rise in the power structure of Washington D.C. in recent years, rising up to be the Chief of  Staff at the Department of Defence and Deputy Director of National Intelligence in President Trump’s first term.