An old video of Indian-origin dancer Swathi Jaisankar has resurfaced online, sparking controversy. In the viral TikTok clip, she performs traditional Indian classical dance near the Washington Monument, which some Americans have called “outrageous,” despite the performance being graceful and culturally rich.
The video, almost three years old, began circulating again as anti-Indian sentiment has risen in the US. Many Indians feel there is nothing wrong with Swathi’s elegant poses and classical moves, which highlight skill and tradition rather than disrespect.
Swathi has lived in the US since she was four, when her parents migrated legally. She graduated from Boston University and resides in New Jersey. Despite considering America her home, she faced online hate for a video made years ago.
Racist comments questioned why American landmarks were being used for “TikTok dances” by “third-world” foreigners. Others defended her, saying the performance is a beautiful cultural expression and reflects the diversity of modern America.
Indian users pointed out the double standard. While white Americans perform provocative dances at monuments without backlash, an Indian-American woman displaying classical dance is deemed inappropriate, exposing the hypocrisy of such criticisms.
Her parents legally immigrated from India when she was 4 years old. She graduated from Boston University, calls New Jersey home, and is now a Senior Business Analyst at Franklin Templeton. She’s dancing in front of the Washington Monument because she’s a proud American. https://t.co/DnX8H1HXn5
— Jennifer Greenberg ️ (@JennMGreenberg) March 7, 2026
