By Ritu Jha-
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley lost her father, Ajit Singh Randhawa, on Father’s Day, June 16. The 52-year-old took to social media to make the announcement. The news has left a prominent Indian American person, who is also a Donald Trump supporter, in shock.
Speaking to Indica, Shalabh “Shalli” Kumar, an Illinois-based industrialist and political donor, said he has familial ties with the Randhawas. “He was an extremely friendly man and he was like a family,” Kumar said. “He treated me like his younger brother and Nikki and her husband call me Chachaji.”
Kumar, who founded the Republican Hindu Coalition, chose to endorse Trump over Haley in the Republican presidential race. He told Indica that he was quite close with Haley’s father. However, it waned after Nikki Haley become the South Carolina governor, which she served from 2011 to 2017. “When she was the US Ambassador, we had little contact. However, we did a fundraising in 2010, when she won the Primary and was running for South Carolina Governor.”
“One thing that stood out to me about the whole family and him, is that no matter you are in politics, but he did not remove his turban. He kept the turban, the Sikh identity, and that was extremely important,” Kumar said.
Calling her father a strong man who asked him to support Haley, Kumar said, “The first big fundraiser I did of his daughter [Haley] became a very good family Punjabi event in 2010. We had 200 people and at the event, I put on the Bhangra music and so the family, Nikki and we all were performed the Bhangra. It was like a family.”
Randhawa, who Hailey described as “the smartest, sweetest, kindest, most decent man I have ever known”, in her tribute, worked as a professor at Voorhees College, Denmark, South Carolina. Randhawa and his wife, Raj Kaur, migrated to rural South Carolina in 1969. They were from affluent families in Punjab, India.
Meanwhile, reactions also poured in from others. Retired American diplomat Atul Keshap, who serves at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as the President of the U.S.- India Business Council since January 2022, said, “Heartfelt condolences to you and yours, Ambassador Haley.”
Jonah Goldman, the editor-in-chief of The Dispatch, wrote on X: “My condolences. It’s one of the world’s worst clubs we all end up joining. Sounds like a wonderful man.”
Activist Coreco Ja’Quan Pearson said, “So sorry for your loss, Ambassador. Sending prayers your way.”
Former Congressman George Santos wrote: “I’m sorry for your loss.”
As per reports, Haley’s father had previously been diagnosed with cancer. He was a perennial supporter of Nikki in her political career and was also present during the start of her presidential bid in Charleston in 2023. In January, Haley paused her campaign and visited her ailing father.
