Rise of Anti-Indian Hate in America Sparks Calls for Community Action

Civil rights expert Manju Kulkarni discusses the surge in harassment and highlights strategies for building resilience

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The landscape of safety for Indian Americans has shifted dramatically in recent years, evolving from isolated incidents to what experts describe as a pervasive climate of hostility. Manju Kulkarni, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, joined a podcast to unpack the data and historical cycles behind a 75% spike in online hate directed at the Indian-American community.

Why it matters

This surge in anti-Indian hate isn't just happening in dark corners of the web - it is bleeding into everyday life, from retail stores in Texas to restaurants in Virginia. Kulkarni attributes this rise to a 'trifecta' of xenophobic rhetoric, government policy, and individual acts of animus, following a long American tradition of using economic anxiety to scapegoat Asian immigrants.

The details

Kulkarni noted that nearly 50% of Indian Americans report experiencing a hate act in the last few years. She drew parallels to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the 1907 Bellingham riots, where Indian lumber workers were driven out of town by white mobs. The community's immense success is often weaponized against it, with white supremacist narratives of 'replacement' fueling the hostility.

  • In a recent episode of 'The Hyphen, Indian-American Dialogues' podcast
  • The data shows a 75% spike in online hate directed at the Indian-American community in recent years

The players

Manju Kulkarni

Co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate and expert on civil rights issues.

Sital Kulkarni

Host of 'The Hyphen, Indian-American Dialogues' podcast, law professor, author, and founder.

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What they’re saying

“The data is clear, nearly 50% of Indian Americans report experiencing a hate act in the last few years.”

— Manju Kulkarni, Co-founder, Stop AAPI Hate (The Hyphen, Indian-American Dialogues* podcast)

“Whether we are financially successful or not, they will find a way to weaponize hate.”

— Manju Kulkarni, Co-founder, Stop AAPI Hate (The Hyphen, Indian-American Dialogues* podcast)

What’s next

Kulkarni outlined four key strategies for the Indian-American community: data-driven awareness, community safety education, narrative change, and aggressive policy advocacy. She emphasized that civic engagement, particularly voting in the upcoming 2026 elections, is the most powerful tool available to resist authoritarianism and 'racialized terror'.

The takeaway

This case highlights the urgent need for the Indian-American community to mobilize and take action against the rising tide of anti-Indian hate. By standing in solidarity with other communities of color and upholding the values of equity and justice, the community can move past this period of retrenchment and ensure a future where the next generation can thrive.