‘Maybe it’s your values’: Shri Thanedar slams Republican leader for saying Muslims ‘don’t belong’ in American society

The dispute began when Rep. Andy Ogles posted on X: "Muslims don't belong in American society."

“Indian-origin Congressman Shri Thanedar has criticised Republican lawmaker Andy Ogles after the Tennessee representative wrote on social media that “Muslims don't belong in American society””

The Times of India

His post also said "Pluralism is a lie."

The Times of India

Indian-origin Congressman Shri Thanedar, a Democratic congressman from Michigan, criticised Ogles and replied:

"The founders put freedom of religion in the FIRST Amendment for a reason."

"Muslims have lived in America since the 1600s."

"E Pluribus Unum, an ode to our pluralism, has been our country's traditional motto since 1782."

"Maybe it's YOUR values that don't belong in American society."

Thanedar said rejecting Muslims contradicts the country's long-standing principle of pluralism.

British journalist Mehdi Hasan also criticised Ogles' remarks online.

In a post on X, Hasan wrote: "Jews don't belong in American society."

The Times of India

He added that such a statement from a member of Congress would normally provoke a national outcry.

Hasan wrote: "Imagine a sitting member of Congress tweeting that."

He added: "You can't."

He wrote: "Thankfully, it'd never happen."

He continued: "And if it did, it'd be the end of their career and the biggest story in America."

Hasan concluded: "But Ogles can say this about Muslims without any censure."

Ogles is a Republican politician known for strongly conservative positions, particularly on immigration and religion.

“Indian-origin Congressman Shri Thanedar has criticised Republican lawmaker Andy Ogles after the Tennessee representative wrote on social media that “Muslims don't belong in American society””

The Times of India

He has proposed legislation aimed at restricting immigration from several countries with predominantly Muslim populations.

He has argued that large-scale Islamic immigration harms the United States.

He has supported stricter immigration policies in general and has suggested deporting certain immigrants or naturalised citizens whom he believes threaten American values.