Racism Against Indians: How Online Platforms Are Normalizing Hate in the Digital Age

Racism Against the Indian Community: A Growing Global Concern

Right now, one of the easiest communities to target online is the Indian community. Anyone who spends time on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram can see it clearly. Countless posts, videos, memes, and comments openly stereotype Indians, mock their culture, and spread hatred. What makes this situation more alarming is that this racism is not subtle anymore—it is loud, viral, and often rewarded with attention and money.

Many people believe this hate is only directed at Indians living in India. That assumption is wrong. This wave of racism affects Indians everywhere. Whether an Indian is born and raised in the UK, the US, Canada, or Australia, their identity alone makes them a target. The issue is global, and it is growing faster than ever.

A recent example that shocked many was how Vivek Ramaswamy, an Indian-origin American political figure, faced intense racial abuse online. Despite being born in the United States and actively participating in American politics, he was targeted repeatedly because of his faith and the color of his skin. The hatred became so overwhelming that he reportedly chose to distance himself from social media to protect his mental health. This incident clearly shows that no level of success, power, or loyalty can shield Indians from racial hate once they are marked as “different.”

So why is this racial hatred spreading like wildfire?

One major reason is the way modern social media platforms work. Engagement has become more important than ethics. Platforms push content that gets reactions—likes, shares, comments—even if that content is hateful or racist. When racist posts against Indians generate millions of views, the system rewards the creator instead of stopping them. This sends a dangerous message: hate is profitable.

In many Western countries, targeting Indians online has slowly turned into a business model. Influencers and anonymous accounts know that mocking Indians brings instant attention. The more offensive the content, the higher the engagement. In some cases, these individuals are literally earning money by spreading racial stereotypes. This is not just offensive; it is a deeply serious social problem.

What makes the situation even more troubling is the lack of a strong response. If any other ethnic or racial community were targeted at this scale, there would likely be widespread outrage, public condemnation, and political action. However, racism against Indians is often dismissed as “jokes,” “memes,” or “free speech.” This double standard allows hate to grow unchecked.

At the same time, the Indian response has been weak and divided. When someone speaks out about racism against Indians, there is often pushback from within the community itself. Instead of standing united, people argue among themselves, bringing up unrelated internal issues. Yes, India does have its own problems with discrimination, including the racism faced by people from the North-Eastern states. These issues must be addressed seriously and honestly. But acknowledging internal problems should not mean silently accepting external racism.

Both truths can exist together. Indians must fight discrimination within India, and they must also resist the growing global racism against Indians online. One struggle does not cancel out the other.

What is needed now is unity. Indians across the world need to speak up together, calmly but firmly. Governments must take online racial abuse seriously, and social media platforms must be held accountable for promoting hateful content in the name of engagement. Most importantly, Indians must stop downplaying their own experiences and start recognizing that this is a real and urgent problem.

Racism against the Indian community is not acceptable. Not online. Not anywhere. It needs to stop—and that will only happen when voices are raised together, without fear and without division.