Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in 2016, becoming the first Indian-American politician to run for the highest office in the nation.
But comments he made during his initial campaign launch on Wednesday have critics slamming him for what some say is an attempt to distance himself from his Indian heritage.
As he officially threw his hat into the ring for the Republican nomination, he said was "done with" describing Americans by their origin or ethnicity. Both of Jindal's parents are Indian immigrants.
"We are not Indian-Americans, African-Americans, Irish-Americans, rich Americans, or poor Americans. We are all Americans," said Jindal, during his campaign launch in New Orleans.
People quickly took issue with his remarks, with some, including Silicon Valley Actor Kumail Nanjiani, making fun of Jindal.
Hey guys. My people are looking to trade Bobby Jindal. In return we'll take literally anything.— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) June 25, 2015
Jindal was raised a Hindu but converted to Catholicism as a teenager. He is competing for the evangelical vote with other candidates, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
The hashtag #BobbyJindalIsSoWhite began trending in India on Thursday.
U might be a #Jindian if u r the son of immigrants who is anti-immigrant. #bobbyjindalissowhite @harikondabolu @ShaifaliP— aasif mandvi (@aasif) June 24, 2015
He thinks samosas are Girl Scout cookies. #BobbyJindalissowhite @aasif— Dan Mannella (@DanMannella) June 25, 2015
If Bobby Jindal chooses not to identify with his Indian roots, that is his choice And making fun of him is our choice #BobbyJindalIsSoWhite— The Bad Doctor (@doctoratlarge) June 25, 2015
#BobbyJindalIsSoWhite that he couldn't win a spelling bee if he tried.— Priti (@pritiriyer) June 25, 2015
It's not the first time that Jindal has commented on how he sees his racial identify.
During a speech in London in January, Jindal said his parents wanted their children to become fully American when they immigrated to the U.S.
"My dad and mom told my brother and me that we came to America to be Americans. Not Indian-Americans, simply Americans. If we wanted to be Indians, we would have stayed in India," he said.
"I am not suggesting for one second that people should be shy or embarrassed about their ethnic heritage," said Jindal. "But I am explicitly saying that it is completely reasonable for nations to discriminate between allowing people into their country who want to embrace their culture, or allowing people into their country who want to destroy their culture, or establish a separate culture within."
A path to a GOP primary victory appears a difficult road for Jindal. Republican candidate debates begin in August and it's unclear if he will make the cut, based on his standing in national polls.
Some information from the Associated Press.