Why this sudden Hate for Indians? Where does this stem from?

Is it because we are too loud in our behaviors?

Is it because we are too successful compared to other minority groups?

Is it because we are cluttering & dirtying the places around?

Is it because we are too religious & ritualistic?

Is it because we are too skilled & opportunistic?

Let’s uncover the truth once and for all. What feels undeniable, however, is that a growing sense of discomfort—almost a cringe factor exists toward Indians and Desis seems to be emerging in America today, something I hadn’t witnessed in the 23 years I’ve lived here.

In today’s climate of rising right-wing supremacy, where America feels split between extreme social liberalism on one side and capitalistic conservatism on the other, the question arises—where do Indians fit in? As an immigrant who later became a naturalized citizen, I know this is a concern shared by many in our community. The atmosphere is one of confusion and quiet fear, intensified by frequent reports of isolated attacks on Indians that circulate in the news and across WhatsApp groups.

For those of us raising teenage children, the worry runs deeper: are they truly safe in college dorms, at restaurants, or during late-night outings? When they wear traditional clothes to a cultural event, we can’t help but wonder if it will invite unwanted hostility. Even simple moments—traveling alone on a subway or train surrounded by strangers who don’t look like us—can bring on an unease, a lump in the throat that words can hardly capture

 “But why this sudden rise in hostility toward us? Have we truly done something wrong—or are we simply being perceived that way? To answer this, let’s look at the facts, because numbers don’t lie:

Favorable aspects-

1. Each year, about 150,000 Indians immigrate legally to the U.S.

2. Over 80% of Indian immigrants hold at least a bachelor’s degree, making them among the most highly educated immigrant groups.

3. In the 2022–2023 academic year, nearly 268,900 Indian students were enrolled in U.S. universities—second only to China.

4. The annual cost of studying in the U.S. for international students ranges from $25,000 to $55,000, depending on the institution.

5. Indian Americans make up about 5% of all physicians in the U.S., the largest group among the 260,000 immigrant doctors practicing here.

6. The median annual income of Indian-born workers is around $153,999 (about $12,833 per month), one of the highest among all racial groups in the U.S.

7. More than a dozen Fortune 500 companies are led by Indian-origin CEOs, with estimates suggesting over 10% of Fortune 500 leaders have Indian heritage.

8. Since 2018, Indian entrepreneurs have founded or co-founded 72 of the 358 U.S. unicorns (billion-dollar startups), showcasing outsized influence in innovation and tech.

When you look at these statistics, it becomes clear: Indians are not only contributing but thriving in education, medicine, business, and innovation. Perhaps what’s being perceived as a threat is really a story of success.

While there are many strong and undeniable facts that highlight the positive contributions of Indian Americans, it is also important to acknowledge certain points that can sometimes be viewed unfavorably or misunderstood, occasionally fueling bias or resentment.

Unfavorable aspects- 

1-Illegal immigration-In 2022, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) estimated the number of undocumented Indians in the U.S. at around 220,000. This figure does not account for border crossings in 2023, which suggests the actual number could now be higher. India comes at number 5 in place of illegal immigration where Mexico stands at number 1.

2-Low incarceration rates: According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (2019), Asians overall were incarcerated in local jails at a rate of 25 per 100,000 residents—a figure far lower than other racial groups. While specific data for Indian Americans is limited, their rates are likely even lower.

3-Minimal gun violence representation: Indian Americans’ small share in overall crime statistics means that their involvement in gun violence is rarely recorded or reported separately.

Regional comparison with Pakistan: By contrast, a December 2023 U.S. Congressional report noted a sharp rise in terrorism-related deaths from Pakistan—from 365 in 2019 to at least 1,438 in 2023.

4-Family stability: A 2019 study by the Institute for Family Studies (IFS) found that Indian Americans have significantly lower divorce rates than the general U.S. population and rank among the highest in family stability.

5-Drug abuse- In 2021, the percentage of Indian Americans aged 18 or older with a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year was 19.3%. This is higher than the 8.0% reported for the broader Asian population and lower than the 32.8% for the total U.S. population.

Across areas such as fraud, theft, violence, crime, and divorce, the data consistently shows that Indian Americans are not a liability but, rather, a strong and valuable asset to America’s progress.

If you come across isolated stories—claims that Indians make too much noise during Diwali, forge visas to overstay in the U.S., pollute rivers during idol immersions, or even shoplift at a store, please pause and reflect. These narratives are often amplified on social media not to inform, but to discredit. They are distractions designed to paint Indians in a negative light, to make us appear weak or embarrassed, and to fuel disdain among majority groups or right-wing voices.

What’s troubling is that many of my fellow Indian friends, when exposed to these stories, began to internalize them. They blamed Indians themselves for being disliked in America, rather than recognizing these accounts for what they are—generalizations rooted in a few incidents.

Conclusion-

The truth is, every racial and ethnic community, no matter how accomplished or educated, has outliers. There will always be individuals who are too loud in a theater, celebrate their traditions openly in public spaces, or wear cultural markers like a Bindi or Burka at work. But for many, these practices are not disruptions—they are affirmations of identity, sources of pride, and ways to begin the day with positivity.

Now consider these facts in comparison with other communities-

1. -no one questions why Muslim women wear burkas in schools and colleges, even if it limits certain common activities like sports or swimming.

2. -no one criticizes Jewish communities for observing Shabbat strictly, leaving work early on Fridays and avoiding calls until Monday even when crisis at work hits the roof.

3. -no one speaks low of Mormon practices of polygamy where men live with multiple wives and many kids under the same roof, despite U.S. law prohibiting it.

4. -nor is there widespread outcry over Spanish being used officially in many public spaces, even though 72% of Hispanics in the U.S. speak English fluently.

Singling out Indians based on the actions of a few is not only unfair—it is stereotyping. And once we begin to stereotype, we could find endless reasons to do so with any minority group, whether Muslim, Mexican, African American, or others. Instead of dividing communities, it is time to recognize that these differences are what enrich the American fabric, not weaken it.

So, instead of hating Indians for who we are, it’s worth asking: who is really sowing the seeds of this hate?

1. Yes, we can be loud at times—but that loudness comes from confidence in our skin and heritage.

2. Yes, we speak many languages—but that very ability has taught us how to adapt, connect, and respect other cultures.

3. Yes, sometimes we leave behind mess after celebrations—but that calls for compassion and dialogue, not hatred.

4. Yes, we are ambitious and opportunistic—but that determination was forged through centuries of hardship, shaped by the repeated colonization of India under the Mughals and the British.

So, never feel ashamed of being Indian. Never apologize for your identity. And above all, stand united against those who seek to demean us with negativity.

Of course, we can and should guide our children to be more mindful of their surroundings, encourage our communities to adapt rituals in ways that fit modern contexts, and continue open conversations on social media to help new immigrants integrate better. Many of us are already doing this on social media educating the incoming Indian population.

But let’s be clear: these areas of growth are not reasons to stereotype or hate Indians. They are opportunities for learning and dialogue, not fuel for prejudice.