Rich Harris

Before discussing rising anti-Indian racism in America, we must ask: How did it start, and what role did our own idiots play? After October 7, American politics became deeply divided over Israel and Palestine. The Gaza war reached American universities, triggering massive protests. India and Indian Americans had nothing to do with this conflict. But a section of right-wing Hindus entered a political battle nobody invited them into, purely for cheap attention. We are a tiny minority in America. Yet these idiots inserted themselves into a sensitive political conflict, bringing their Islamophobia and India’s domestic political hatred onto American platforms. What followed? Indians became targets of mockery: “Full saport saar,” “Please marry me medam.” Millions of ordinary Indians were stereotyped because of a few idiots. Then came Vivek Ramaswamy’s controversial Christmas comments and Laura Loomer’s attacks on H-1B visas. The discussion expanded to Indian workers, immigration, cleanliness in India, and absurd religious practices. Meanwhile, attention-seeking bad-faith actors within our community kept provoking Americans across the political spectrum for engagement. Imagine African students or medical tourists in India constantly interfering in our domestic politics, insulting communities, and provoking Indians. How would we react? Yet some popular Indian X handles allegedly funded by the BJP expect Americans to tolerate exactly that behavior. As immigrants and a small minority, we must understand the political tensions of the country we live in. Nobody is asking us to support or oppose every American political movement. It’s not our duty. But engaging with far-right figures like Nick Fuentes, provoking both sides, and importing Islamophobic rhetoric into American politics comes with consequences. Then the rabid Hindutva dogs from India joined these arguments, making everything more toxic, vulgar, and uncivilized. The result? Indian stereotypes spread, online hostility became normalized, and ordinary immigrant families faced the backlash. Racism is the responsibility of racists. But our right-wing influencers must also be questioned for exploiting political tensions while everyone else pays the price. They gained followers and engagement. Ordinary Indians inherited the hostility. We Indians used to be respected as calm, decent, inclusive, and easygoing people. We were known as engineers, doctors, computer guys, and smart people. Now we are mocked with stereotypes about cow urine, poop, dung, and slums. The dehat and the right wing together destroyed a generational reputation. Before blaming everyone else, question those within our community who turned India’s domestic political hatred into an international spectacle.