In recent years, there has been a marked increase in online hate against Indian Americans, particularly on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).​ Much of this vitriol originates from anonymous accounts and bots—users who hide behind false identities, emboldened to spread toxic and hateful messages. 

While Indian Americans are not the first—nor, unfortunately, will they be the last—group targeted by such racism, the volume and persistence of these attacks require our attention.​ Vile insults and demands that we ‘Go back to your country’ are unfortunately quite common nowadays, not only for Indiaspora but for any public Indian-origin person, particularly elected officials, who are fighting to support all Americans.

For Indiaspora, it would be easy to dismiss these online trolls. They aren’t part of our active community, nor are they guests at our events. We don’t expect them to support our work or help us reach our goals. So, why focus on them at all? The answer lies in our organizational mission: to address issues impacting the global Indian diaspora, including the persistent harassment Indian Americans face online.​ We are also mindful of how India views the treatment of its diaspora overseas. When Indian nationals or people of Indian origin face discrimination or mistreatment abroad, such behavior can shape India’s perception of that country and potentially affect diplomatic relations.

Since Indiaspora’s founding, we’ve held a long-standing vision: to establish our community’s equivalent of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) or The Asian American Foundation (TAAF)—organizations dedicated to combating hate. The murder of Chandra Mouli Nagamallaiah in Dallas, the latest in a string of heinous crimes, combined with the alarming surge in online hate speech on platforms like X, has made this mission increasingly urgent. The Indian American community deserves an institution that can stand up against hatred with the same strength and credibility as the ADL or TAAF.

All too often, the achievements of Indian professionals, executives, and entrepreneurs are unfairly questioned or delegitimized by these trolls. Their message is clear: it doesn’t matter if you were born in the United States or have chosen to become a citizen—your place in this country is never secure. This sentiment not only insults Indian Americans but also seeks to diminish the profound contributions our community has made nationwide. It is also a belittling of the core principles on which the United States of America has been built.  It’s crucial for the broader public to recognize that Indian Americans are making a genuine difference—enhancing the economic, social, and cultural vitality of communities from California to Kansas, Massachusetts to Texas.​ 

Such sentiment was one of the reasons we worked with the Boston Consulting Group to create the Indiaspora Impact Report in June 2024.  Many of you have seen infographics from the report highlighting striking statistics: 78% of Indian Americans hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, and the community contributes 5-6% of total U.S. income tax revenue despite comprising less than 2% of the population. Approximately 30% of America’s healthcare patients are treated by physicians of Indian-origin.  Our recent education philanthropy report reveals that Indian Americans have donated over $3 billion to U.S. universities since 2008 alone. These numbers matter—they demonstrate to everyone, including our critics, that our community is deeply invested in America’s success and contributes to it every single day. 

Consider the immigrant journey. According to Pew Research Center, about two-thirds of the Indian American population is foreign-born. People often leave positions of comfort, familiarity and affluence in their home countries to uproot their entire lives. They choose to struggle for years in a new land, to build families here, to put down roots. That’s a deliberate, conscious decision. What greater manifestation of love for America could there be? They chose to be here. So how can anyone question whether Indians love America?

Recently, during our Member Forum town hall in San Jose, we saw remarkable engagement and unity in confronting hate. This inspired us to launch a new X/Twitter account, ‘RealIndianAm,’ dedicated to promoting facts and sharing stories that reflect the breadth of Indian American achievement. Our goal isn’t to argue with trolls, but to offer a counter-narrative—one rooted in truth and positive impact. While facts and figures may not sway every detractor, they hold the power to reach individuals encountering misleading and hateful content in their online feeds, often generated and amplified by widely followed accounts.​

Despite living, working, and raising families in the United States for generations, Indian Americans still encounter persistent stereotypes—some question whether we are truly Americans, while others falsely believe we are taking jobs away from fellow citizens.​ The reality couldn’t be further from these misconceptions. In fact, as we have seen from the Impact report, Indian Americans are creating jobs for all Americans.  International Students from India alone add $10 Billion into the US Economy, generating over ninety-thousand jobs. Thanks in part to the Indian diaspora in the United States, India has invested over $40 billion in the United States, creating more than 400,000 jobs.

Indian Americans are deeply proud to call this country home. Our community’s love for the United States is reflected in our strong civic engagement, economic leadership, and unwavering commitment to this nation’s success.  We want to see all Americans thrive—regardless of skin color, religion, or ethnicity.​

At the same time as we counter the negative arguments, we also believe that if you only read headlines, you would think the sky is falling. Social media amplifies the worst voices and negativity. But let’s remember: not everyone is hostile. Not everyone harbors ill will. There is tremendous goodness in this country—cooperation, interdependence, and genuine connection across communities. We work together. We rely on each other. The world isn’t ending. Succumbing to that negativity breeds cynicism, which leads to apathy, and worse, antipathy. We can’t afford to disengage.

We recognize that we’re living in exceptionally polarized times, marked by racially charged rhetoric targeting various ethnic communities—sometimes from influential voices. It’s essential that we stand up and make ourselves heard, but we must do so thoughtfully. We won’t descend into the mud with those who traffic in ignorance. We won’t resort to insults or name-calling. Instead, we’ll respond with respect and facts, demonstrating how our community contributes to the broader American fabric and strengthens the nation itself.

Our organization embodies these values. Indiaspora is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. We engage with all thoughtful ideas, and we actively work across political and religious lines to build a stronger, more inclusive society. We are not affiliated with any political party or government—not the American government, not the Indian government, not any government. While we collaborate with many partners, we maintain our organizational independence and integrity, making decisions based on what best serves our community. Our purpose is to bring people together and foster constructive dialogue. By helping others, we enrich our own lives. Our members and partners represent the very best of American diversity and resilience.​   

Indian Americans are not only part of the American fabric—they help strengthen it. Through dedication, innovation, and collaboration, our community will continue to contribute to the prosperity and well-being of all Americans. This sensitivity extends to Indian-origin populations in other nations as well, particularly in countries where Indiaspora is active—such as the UK, Canada, and Australia—where community members are subject to degrading insults, both online and in person.    

We know that eradicating racism against Indian Americans won’t happen overnight. Still, we are committed—both online and offline—to building bridges across all communities. Our aim is to strengthen this nation for everyone, regardless of origin. We believe in the power of the diaspora. We believe that together, we can be a force for good. We invite feedback, dialogue, and partnerships from all who share our vision to combat online hate and promote inclusion. 

We would like to thank Indiaspora’s Marketing and Communications Manager Sameer Acharya for contributing to this post.

Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in this article/column are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of South Asian Herald.

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