Racism against Indians is no longer limited to online spaces, as many NRIs now report facing it in real life. Viral social media content targeting Indians has increased concern, with several community members expressing fear over changing attitudes.
A Reddit user recently shared experiences of repeated racial encounters in public spaces. The post resonated with many Indian-origin individuals who believe stereotypes and prejudice have become more visible and vocal in recent times.
The user, who has lived between Europe and India, said such behaviour existed earlier as well. However, they noted that people were less openly hostile in the past, while current interactions feel more direct and uncomfortable.
In one incident in Portugal, the user claimed a man approached their family at a bus stop and made an unusual remark involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi and cows. The situation left them uneasy but they avoided confrontation.
In another case, a security officer assisting with train tickets allegedly made a dismissive comment about their country. The user chose not to respond in both situations and avoided escalating the encounters further.
The user also pointed out that even among acquaintances, stereotypes persist. Some friends casually repeat remarks about Indians taking jobs, mock Indian food, or make jokes about accents, which adds to the discomfort.
The post gained attention as many commenters shared similar concerns. Some believe that social media is amplifying anti-Indian sentiment and turning stereotypes into widely accepted narratives across different platforms.
One commenter expressed fear that such hostility could escalate further, even in personal spaces. The concern reflects how online negativity may be influencing real-world behaviour and interactions.
Many also pointed to anti-immigrant influencers who normalise such content for engagement. While isolated issues may exist, targeting NRIs in public without reason raises serious concerns about the culture being encouraged online.
