Jay Vaingankar, an Indian-American candidate for Congress in New Jersey's 12th Congressional District, has stirred controversy with a campaign video in Hindi. The video, which encourages the desi community to register as Democrats for the upcoming election on June 2, has attracted criticism from both sides. Some American voters argue that Vaingankar should speak English, claiming that using a foreign language to appeal to a demographic reflects poorly on immigration policies. Conversely, members of the desi community have criticized Vaingankar’s Hindi accent, expressing concerns that it may alienate potential voters. Vaingankar, who was raised in New Jersey by immigrant parents from Mumbai, previously served in the Biden administration and holds a Bachelor's degree in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. He is competing in a crowded primary to succeed retiring Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman.