Why Indians Lack Global Support: Top 5 Shocking Biases Exposed
In a connected world where social media amplifies every outrage, attacks on Indians often slip through the cracks. A Sikh elder faces brutal violence in Canada, yet global campaigns barely materialize. An Indian student endures racial slurs in Australia, but solidarity feels sparse. These stories reveal a troubling pattern: Indians, known for their work ethic and minimal involvement in crime, still lack global support other groups receive. Media spotlights certain narratives while dimming others, fueling questions about deep-seated biases and overlooked contributions.
This disparity isn’t new. Historical stereotypes blend with modern geopolitics, creating a cycle where Indian achievements go unrecognized, and challenges get minimized. From diaspora hubs in the US to emerging tensions in the UK, the conversation spans racism, internal divisions, and untapped potential. It’s a tale of quiet resilience, where individuals thrive, but collective advocacy lags—much like a powerhouse team undervalued in a biased league.
- Historical Roots of Anti-Indian Sentiment
- Media Bias and Selective Reporting
- Diaspora Challenges and Everyday Discrimination
- Economic Powerhouse Yet Overlooked Ally
- Internal Divisions Hindering Unity
- Pathways to Building Global Solidarity
Historical Roots of Anti-Indian Sentiment
Colonial echoes still shape views of Indians today, portraying them as outsiders in many Western societies. In Canada, anti-Indian racism has spiked, often amplified on platforms like TikTok, where misinformation thrives. This draws from old tropes of inferiority, now repackaged in digital hate. Experts trace it back to events like the 1914 Komagata Maru incident, where Indian immigrants were denied entry, setting a precedent for exclusion.
In the US, data shows a steady climb in bias incidents. A study by the Carnegie Endowment revealed that half of Indian Americans faced discrimination in recent years, frequently tied to skin color or perceived foreignness. Hate crimes against South Asians have risen sharply, reflecting broader anti-Asian trends post-COVID.
To capture the trend:
Year | Reported Hate Crimes Against Asians in US (FBI Data) | Percentage Increase |
2020 | 279 | 77% (from 2019) |
2021 | 746 | 167% |
2022 | 499 | -33% |
2023 | 505 | 1% |
2024 | 469 (estimated, 6.8% decline) | -7% |
Sources: FBI Hate Crime Statistics, Asian American Hate Incidents Remain Alarmingly High, U.S. Hate Crimes: What The Latest FBI Data Show, Asian Americans and discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic
These figures highlight how past prejudices evolve, making it tougher for Indians to rally international backing.
Media Bias and Selective Reporting
Outrage is selective in global media, with Indian victims often sidelined. A Ukrainian crisis draws instant sympathy, but the murder of an Indian engineer in the US garners fleeting attention. Ownership biases in Western outlets favor stories that resonate with their bases, sidelining Indian narratives.
Online discussions point to India’s “rape capital” label as overblown, ignoring comparable issues elsewhere. Validated data shows Indians abroad have among the lowest crime rates, yet stereotypes persist. In Canada, a report noted a surge in hate slurs against South Asians, fueled by political rhetoric on immigration.
“The media turns Indians into scapegoats to distract from real problems,” echoes a sentiment in heated online threads.
Sources like BBC and CNN face criticism for emphasizing India’s flaws while underreporting diaspora successes, akin to ignoring a key player’s stats in a game recap.
Diaspora Challenges and Everyday Discrimination
Indians power global tech and business—from Google CEOs to startup innovators—but grapple with rising barriers. In the UK, hate crimes against South Asians jumped in recent years, per police data. Australians report similar spikes, with racist flyers targeting Indian communities in Melbourne.
Mental health impacts are profound; many Indian Canadians cite online hate as a stressor. Institutional hurdles, like visa restrictions, compound this, while colorism within communities adds layers.
A comparison of experiences:
Country | Key Challenge | Supporting Data |
US | Workplace discrimination | 1 in 2 report bias Pew Research |
Canada | Online and street hate | Sharp rise in slurs ISD Report |
UK | Post-Brexit racism | Increase in incidents GOV.UK |
Australia | Targeted harassment | Racist messaging surges Guardian |
These hurdles strain alliances, as Indians contribute economically but feel alienated socially.
Economic Powerhouse Yet Overlooked Ally
India leads in remittances and tech exports, yet geopolitical support wanes. Proxy narratives in forums like the UN undermine its stance, as analyzed in Substack pieces on multipolarity. Indians innovate globally, but biases hinder acclaim.
A YouTube analysis notes rising discrimination abroad, from jobs to streets, backed by data on poverty reduction—415 million lifted since 2005. Still, aid and alliances tilt elsewhere.
Internal Divisions Hindering Unity
Fragmentation weakens advocacy. X threads critique superiority complexes and lack of solidarity. Caste and regional rifts, as in LinkedIn discussions on Korean discrimination, dilute responses. Government reports show 86% of Northeast Indians face bias in Delhi, highlighting internal-external overlaps.
“Discrimination based on looks is unjust, like historical injustices,” one user reflects.
Pathways to Building Global Solidarity
Unity through advocacy and digital campaigns can shift tides. Strengthening anti-bias laws and alliances, inspired by other groups, offers hope. Analogies to successful movements suggest organized efforts pay off.
Amid biases and contributions, India’s narrative evolves toward recognition.
How can everyday actions foster better global perceptions of Indians?
Opinions from Social Media
Platform | Comment | Source/Link | Side |
“Unfortunately, Indians with strong accents are synonyms with scams and poor customer service.” | r/AskIndia | Opposing (blames stereotypes from behaviour) | |
“You gave tons of reasons but none of them about the fact that LOTS of Indians here behave horribly. Failing to integrate, rude, hygiene etc…” | r/AskIndia | Opposing (internal behaviour) | |
“Apart from some civic sense issues, Indians have the lowest crime rate, now their heads, work hard and earn their living. We can all tell who …” | r/AskIndia | Supporting (defends Indians) | |
X | “The reason Indians don’t get too much support from even liberal types when wignats / MAGA-crazies go after them is because they don’t play the ‘oppressed’ card” | X Post | Opposing (lack of victim narrative) |
X | “Indians/Indian diaspora ALWAYS pay the price for the DISGUSTING DEEDS of the Pakistani Muslims. This HATE for INDIAN diaspora is fuelled by TikToks, reels, and Leftist/Right Wing lobbies alike.” | X Post | Supporting (external confusion with others) |
X | “Do you know how many centuries Black Americans spent building America before ‘welfare’ was even created? Indians have done nothing worthy of importing them by the millions to any country.” | X Post | Opposing (perceived lack of contribution) |
X | “This superiority complex of hindu Indians is a problem for India. That’s why the whole world supports Pakistan and nobody ever supports India.” | X Post | Opposing (internal attitudes) |
X | “Many Indians have this yess saar hello saar white saar attitude, whites considers Indians below even blacks, whites absolutely hate Indians. Whites think Indians can’t fight back, Indians also attack other minorities then why wonder nobody supports them” | X Post | Opposing (attitudes towards others) |
“Some of it comes from a history of scarcity. If you waited your turn, you often didn’t get anything at all—whether it was a bus seat, a ticket…” | LinkedIn Post | Opposing (cultural habits) | |
“Political uncertainty, instability and political interference in day to day task is such an unpleasant work so it exausted anyone.” | LinkedIn Post | Opposing (internal issues) | |
“An undercurrent of anti-Indian sentiment has taken root since Canada set out to significantly increase immigration to ease a tight labour market.” | LinkedIn Post | Supporting (immigration backlash) | |
Medium | “A big part of personal growth — the freedom to make your own choices and mistakes is largely absent in the childhoods of Indian kids.” | Medium Article | Opposing (societal mindsets) |
Medium | “A prominent and dangerous practice of ‘hiding’ pervades Indian culture, where we frequently pretend everything is okay and engage in purely superficial talk.” | Medium Article | Opposing (cultural practices) |
Medium | “In India, racism is rampant for various reasons. British rule, casteism, and patriarchy, among others, play a significant role in the …” | Medium Article | Opposing (internal racism) |
Substack | “Hatred is a powerful force, much more than love or tolerance. And political leaders know this psychological weakness very well.” | Substack Post | Opposing (internal hatreds) |
Substack | “India is doing just the opposite. It is losing friends and has forgotten how to influence people.” | Substack Post | Supporting (geopolitical losses) |
Substack | “Chinese often view Indians as overly boastful and failing to live up to their claims, discounting Indian promises accordingly.” | Substack Post | Opposing (external perceptions) |