An Indian-origin founder has raised concern over what appears to be a growing number of hate incidents targeting Indians in the United States, calling for urgent attention and support through a post on X.
Anita Ratnam, noted Indian dancer and founder of Narthaki.com, shared disturbing experiences involving two of her friends, both of whom were born in the United States, highlighting how even US-born Indians are not being spared from racial hostility.
According to Ratnam, one of her friends was travelling on the New York City subway when the person was subjected to racist abuse, including the remark: “Go back to your country.”
The incident, she noted, shows how such hatred is now being directed even at people who are American citizens by birth.
Ratnam also mentioned another incident involving a US-born individual who was allegedly spat on at a grocery store in Los Angeles.
The episode, she said, underlines how the issue is not limited to verbal abuse and can also escalate into physical acts of humiliation and intimidation.
Tagging the Indian American Advocacy Council, Anita Ratnam called for support and intervention, urging both authorities and community organisations to take the matter seriously.
Her post struck a chord online, with several users sharing their own experiences of facing racism and hate incidents in the US for being Indian.
One user wrote: “Many people are not uniting. Still minding their own business. I am a victim of a hate crime. I didn’t get support when the brutal attack happened. Indians were minding their own job as always.”
Another user advised: “Indians need to start carrying bear spray for self-defence. Spray and leave immediately. Don’t stick around.”
These incidents come at a time when concerns are growing over the rise of anti-Indian rhetoric in the US, both online and offline.
A recent study published by the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center reportedly found that discrimination and online hate targeting Indian Americans have increased in recent years, raising fresh concerns among the more than 5.2 million Indian-origin people living in the United States.
For many in the Indian diaspora, the issue is no longer just about immigration, jobs, or visas — it is increasingly about identity, belonging, and personal safety in a country they consider home.