Washington, Feb. 22 -- In a historic move, Kash Patel was sworn in as the ninth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) by placing his hand on the Bhagavad Gita, a gesture that sparked widespread appreciation from Hindus around the world on Saturday.

Attorney General Pam Bondi administered the oath to Patel, instructing, "Place your hand on the Gita and raise your right hand."

Patel's girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins, held the Bhagavad Gita as he took the oath in the Indian Treaty Room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on Friday, with his family members in attendance. Patel, at 44, becomes the first Hindu-Indian and Asian descent person to head the FBI.

Social media erupted with praise as users celebrated Patel's deci...