NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
A Texas woman who says she is mounting a write-in campaign for governor has come under fire after a series of social media posts mocking Indian Americans and amplifying anti-Indian rhetoric sparked outrage online.
Kelly Smith, who describes herself on social media as a write-in candidate for Texas governor, posted what she called a “joke” targeting Indian Americans who identify as both proudly American and connected to their cultural roots.
In the now-viral post, Smith wrote, “Because people from India have claimed to be just as American as me, I’ve decided to become Indian.” She went on to say her “new name is Pria,” adding that she would continue “eating hamburgers at Temple and wearing shoes” because she could not give up her “Texan culture.” She ended the post by writing, “We should all become Indian and grill some steaks at temple.”
The post drew swift criticism from Indian Americans and civil rights advocates, many of whom described it as mocking Hindu religious practices and immigrant identity.
Rather than backing down, Smith followed up with another post accusing critics of being “SO offended by a joke photo.” She then broadened her criticism to Indian immigrants, writing that Texans were tired of seeing “India stores pop up on every corner” and claiming, “This isn’t INDIA! It’s insulting to us.”
She also criticized Hindu religious offerings in public waterways, referring to milk, fruit, and statues being placed in lakes—comments that appeared to reference recent online debates around Hindu rituals in parts of Texas.
The controversy escalated further after Smith reposted a message stating, “Indians are becoming worse than Muslims,” and describing Hindus as followers of a “different pagan religion,” language that critics called openly xenophobic and anti-religious.
Texas is home to one of America’s fastest-growing Indian American populations, with major communities in cities such as Dallas, Houston, and Austin.
As of Friday, Smith had not issued an apology or removed the posts, and her online activity suggested she was standing by her remarks.
Cover photo courtesy: Kelly for TX/X.
— Kelly for Texas (@KellyIsRightTX) May 6, 2026
Because people from India have claimed to be just as American as me, I’ve decided to become Indian. My new name is Pria, however, I will be eating hamburgers at Temple and wearing shoes because I can’t give up my Texan culture. I’m just as Indian as y’all, my new name proves it.… pic.twitter.com/MX4PBw3Nn6
— Kelly for Texas (@KellyIsRightTX) May 6, 2026
