Why Kash Patel, FBI Chief Nominee, Said 'Jai Shri Krishna' at Senate Hearing

During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, US President Donald Trump's FBI nominee Kashyap 'Kash' Patel greeted his parents with 'Jai Shri Krishna' after presenting them.

In a viral video, the 44-year-old Indian-origin lawyer is seen kneeling to touch his parents' feet prior to the court.

Kash Patel thanked his family for flying from India to attend his hearing.

"I would like to welcome my father and mother, Anjana, who are seated here today. They travelled here from India. My sister is also here. She also travelled across oceans to be with me here today. It means so much that you're here. "Jai, Shri Krishna," he said.

What Took Place at the US Senate Confirmation Hearing

Responding to Senator Lindsey Graham's query about whether he had ever suffered racism, Mr Patel stated that he had been subjected to racism while growing up.

"Unfortunately, Senator. Yes. "I don't want to go into those details with my family here," he explained.

"I was called a horrible -- and I apologize if I don't get everything correctly, but it's in the record -- a detestable sand nigger who had no right to be in this nation. You should return to where you came from. You belong among your terrorist home pals. That is what was sent to me. That's just one part of it, but that's nothing compared to what the men and women in law enforcement confront every day," Mr. Patel added.

Who Is Kash Patel?

Kash Patel was born in New York in 1980 to Gujarati parents and spent his childhood in East Africa. He graduated from Garden City High School on Long Island.

According to his Department of Defense profile, Mr Patel received his undergraduate degree from the University of Richmond before returning to New York to acquire his law degree and a diploma in International Law from the University College London Faculty of Laws in the United Kingdom.

Mr Patel has also worked as the National Security Advisor and Senior Counsel for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI).

If confirmed, Kash Patel will become the FBI's first Hindu and Indian American director.