US Congressman tells journalist Mehdi Hasan to ‘go back to the UK’ amid azaan debate

Gill responded by quoting Hasan’s past remarks: “We can move here en masse and fundamentally transform the landscape of American public life.”

Hasan pointed to the irony of Gill’s position, saying, “Your wife is an Indian American, the daughter of an Indian immigrant.” Gill replied sharply: “My wife is a Christian and doesn’t want to hear your oppressive Muslim prayer calls, either. If you want to live in a Muslim country, go back to the UK.”

The exchange quickly sparked a broader debate on social media over religious tolerance, cultural acceptance, and immigration in the US.

Gill’s comments follow an earlier controversy in June involving New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who was criticised by Gill for eating rice with his hands while discussing the Palestinian struggle. Gill said, “Civilized people in America don’t eat like this. If you refuse to adopt Western customs, go back to the Third World.”

The backlash was immediate, especially since Gill’s wife, Danielle D’Souza Gill, is of Indian origin. Danielle attempted to distance herself from traditional Indian customs, saying, “I did not grow up eating rice with my hands and have always used a fork. I was born in America. I’m a Christian MAGA patriot. My father’s extended family lives in India, they are also Christian and use forks too.”

Gill, who represents Texas’ 26th Congressional District, is known for his hardline conservative stance on immigration and cultural assimilation. He and Danielle have two children, Marigold and Winston.