Racist Rant at Texas City Council Meeting Highlights Underrecognized Hinduphobia

A right-wing podcaster's mocking performance of Hindu stereotypes sparks outrage and calls for accountability.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A right-wing podcaster recently appeared at a city council meeting in Plano, Texas, dressed in a kurta and wearing a tilak, and proceeded to deliver a racist rant filled with mocking stereotypes about Hindus and Hinduism, including references to consuming cow dung and urine. The incident has sparked outrage and renewed calls for greater recognition of Hinduphobia as a form of racism that is often overlooked or dismissed, even by those who claim to be anti-racist.

Why it matters

This episode highlights the persistent normalization of anti-Hindu racism, even in supposedly progressive circles, where Hinduphobia is often denied, downplayed, or subsumed under broader categories like 'anti-South Asian' or 'Islamophobia' hate. Hindu students, parents, and community leaders have long struggled to raise awareness about attacks on Hindu temples, online hatred targeting Hinduism and Hindus specifically, but have had little success beyond some nominal political resolutions.

The details

The right-wing podcaster delivered a lengthy speech in a mocking 'Indian' accent, focusing on offensive stereotypes about Hindus consuming cow dung and urine. These tropes have a long history of being used to demonize and dehumanize Hindus, drawing on themes of disgust, diet, and disease that have pervaded Western representations of India and Hinduism for centuries. The use of these racist tropes, along with the feigned accent, is widely recognized as problematic, but the lack of any interruption or disciplining from the city officials present suggests a troubling tolerance for such blatant displays of Hinduphobia.

  • The incident occurred during a recent city council meeting in Plano, Texas.

The players

Right-wing Podcaster

An individual who delivered a racist rant filled with mocking stereotypes about Hindus and Hinduism at a Plano, Texas city council meeting.

Plano City Council

The city council members present at the meeting who failed to interrupt or discipline the racist rant.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to spread hate and intolerance against minority communities in our city.”

— Priya Sharma, Plano resident and Hindu community leader

“This incident is a clear example of the persistent problem of Hinduphobia that is often overlooked or dismissed, even by those who claim to be anti-racist. We demand accountability and a clear condemnation from city officials.”

— Raj Khatri, President, Hindu American Foundation

What’s next

The Plano City Council has announced that it will hold a special meeting to address the incident and review its policies on hate speech and public conduct at council meetings.

The takeaway

This episode underscores the urgent need for greater recognition and condemnation of Hinduphobia as a distinct form of racism that has long been overlooked and downplayed, even by those who claim to be champions of anti-racism. It is a reminder that true anti-racism requires acknowledging and addressing all forms of bigotry and discrimination, including those that target minority communities like Hindus.