Racism against Indian people is not a new phenomenon, but it remains under-discussed in global conversations about racial injustice. From subtle microaggressions to overt acts of hostility, individuals of Indian origin—both within India and across diasporic communities—face discrimination rooted in historical, cultural, and socio-political factors. Understanding why this happens requires more than surface-level observation; it demands an honest look at colonial legacies, stereotypes, migration dynamics, and systemic biases that continue to shape perceptions today.
The Historical Roots of Anti-Indian Bias
Colonialism laid the foundation for many modern-day prejudices against Indians. During British rule, Indians were systematically portrayed as inferior, exotic, or uncivilized—a narrative used to justify imperial control. These depictions did not vanish with independence; they evolved into enduring stereotypes that still influence how Indian people are viewed globally.
In Western media and education systems, South Asians were often absent or misrepresented. When included, they appeared as mystical gurus, tech workers, or convenience store owners—reductive roles that flatten a diverse population into caricatures. This lack of nuanced representation contributes to ignorance and reinforces biased assumptions.
“Racism against Indians isn’t always loud or violent. Often, it’s embedded in the assumption that someone doesn’t belong, simply because of how they look.” — Dr. Anjali Roy, Sociologist and Migration Researcher
Stereotypes That Fuel Discrimination
Stereotyping plays a central role in the everyday racism faced by Indians. Common misconceptions include:
- The Model Minority Myth: The idea that all Indians are highly educated, wealthy, and successful erases socioeconomic diversity and creates unrealistic expectations.
- Cultural Exoticization: Comments like “You smell like curry” or questions about arranged marriages reduce Indian identity to clichés.
- Professional Typecasting: Assuming every Indian works in IT or medicine overlooks individual aspirations and limits opportunities in other fields.
- Perpetual Foreigner Syndrome: Even third-generation Indian-Americans or British-Indians are frequently asked, “Where are you really from?” implying they can never be fully accepted as nationals.
Racism in Different Geographies: A Global Pattern
While the expression of racism varies by region, the experience of being targeted due to Indian identity is widespread.
| Region | Common Forms of Racism | Contributing Factors |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Workplace bias, bullying of children, hate crimes post-9/11 | Misassociation with Middle Eastern identities, xenophobia |
| United Kingdom | Verbal abuse, exclusion from social circles, housing discrimination | Post-colonial tensions, class divides, immigration debates |
| Australia | Physical assaults on students, racial slurs in public spaces | Nationalist sentiment, media-fueled fear of immigration |
| Canada | Microaggressions at work, religious profiling (especially Sikhs) | Lack of cultural fluency, misrecognition of turbans as threats |
| India (internal) | Colorism, caste-based discrimination, regional prejudice | Hierarchical social structures, skin-tone bias, linguistic elitism |
A Real-Life Example: The Experience of Priya Mehta
Priya Mehta moved from Mumbai to Toronto at age 24 for graduate studies. Despite excelling academically, she was repeatedly asked during internships if she had “come through a visa lottery” or if her degree was “really valid.” Classmates joked about her accent and mimicked Bollywood dance moves when she entered group chats. Though no one used outright slurs, the constant othering left her feeling isolated and questioning her place in professional spaces. Her story reflects how racism often operates beneath the surface—through exclusion, mockery, and invalidation rather than explicit hatred.
Internalized Prejudice: Racism Within Indian Communities
Racism isn’t only imposed from outside. Deep-seated hierarchies exist within Indian society itself. Colorism, for instance, favors lighter skin tones, evident in matrimonial ads seeking “fair brides” and the booming market for skin-lightening products. Caste-based discrimination persists despite legal prohibitions, affecting access to education, employment, and social mobility.
Regional bias also manifests strongly. People from Northeast India, who often have East Asian features, are routinely mistaken for foreigners and subjected to xenophobic remarks—even though they are Indian citizens. In 2020, during the early days of the pandemic, several individuals from the Northeast were attacked due to false assumptions linking them to the virus.
“We’ve been taught to see difference as deficiency. Whether it’s skin color, language, or religion, anything outside the mainstream is treated with suspicion.” — Arjun Nair, Anti-Discrimination Educator
How to Combat Anti-Indian Racism: A Practical Guide
Addressing racism requires both personal vigilance and structural change. Here’s a step-by-step approach to fostering awareness and resistance.
- Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about Indian history, culture, and diversity. Share accurate information to counter myths.
- Call Out Microaggressions: If someone says, “You speak great English,” respond with, “I was born here,” or explain why such comments assume foreignness.
- Support Representation: Promote Indian voices in media, politics, and leadership roles. Visibility reduces stereotyping.
- Report Incidents: Document racist encounters and report them to institutions, employers, or civil rights organizations.
- Build Alliances: Connect with other marginalized groups to strengthen collective advocacy against discrimination.
Action Checklist: What You Can Do Today
- ✅ Audit your media consumption: Are Indian characters portrayed as full human beings?
- ✅ Speak up when friends make offensive jokes about accents or food.
- ✅ Support businesses owned by Indian entrepreneurs.
- ✅ Attend cultural events to deepen cross-community understanding.
- ✅ Advocate for inclusive curricula in schools and workplaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is racism against Indians considered a form of xenophobia or racial discrimination?
It can be both. While some prejudice stems from xenophobia—fear of foreigners—much of it is racialized, targeting physical traits like skin tone, hair texture, or clothing (e.g., turbans, saris). Indian people of all citizenship statuses experience it, proving it goes beyond nationality.
Why are Sikh men often targeted?
Sikh men, especially those wearing turbans and beards, are frequently misidentified as Muslim or associated with terrorism due to post-9/11 Islamophobia. Despite Sikhism being a distinct religion originating in Punjab, this confusion leads to disproportionate harassment and violence.
Can speaking fluent English reduce racism?
No. Fluency does not protect against racism. Many second- and third-generation Indians speak native-level English yet still face discrimination based on appearance, name, or heritage. Racism targets identity, not language proficiency.
Toward Equity and Recognition
Understanding why Indians face racism means confronting uncomfortable truths about global power structures, historical narratives, and ingrained biases. It’s not enough to say “I don’t see color.” We must see—and challenge—the systems that assign meaning to it. Change begins with recognition: acknowledging pain, validating experiences, and taking consistent action to dismantle prejudice in all its forms.
Whether you’re Indian or an ally, your voice matters. Educate with empathy, act with courage, and refuse to normalize the marginalization of any community.
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