Anti-India sentiment on the rise
The recent appointment of Sriram Krishnan as an AI advisor to US President-elect Donald Trump has ignited a wave of anti-India rhetoric across American social media platforms. This hostility has culminated in a shocking video that has gone viral, depicting an American man urging Indians in the US to sign a petition to “stop the spread of the H1B virus.”
A troubling video goes viral
The video, shared on the social media platform X by user Alex Rosen, features the man approaching Indian shopkeepers, asking them to endorse a petition with the demeaning title, “Stop the spread of the H1B virus.” Rosen captioned the post, “Getting Indians to sign to stop the spread of the H-1B Virus.” Since its upload, the video has amassed over one million views.
In the footage, the man disturbingly equates the H-1B visa program to a disease, claiming its “symptoms” include “diarrhoea” and an alleged “smell” originating from India. In a jarring conclusion, he addresses Trump, saying, “Man up.”
Social media reacts
The video has triggered a storm of mixed reactions online. While some users condemned the man’s actions as racist, others praised him. One user wrote, “You’re a horrible little man. Indians are hard-working people, and America wouldn’t exist without them. My wife is Indian, and she is the smartest, most beautiful, and hard-working person I know. Yes, that includes white people.”
Conversely, another user commented, “You’ve done heroic things in the past, but this is BY FAR the most heroic. I applaud you, good sir.”
The responses ranged from outright condemnation to those framing the act as an “epic troll,” with some users attempting to redirect the debate to broader concerns about American job security.
Trump’s take on H-1B visas
The controversy surrounding the H-1B visa program is not new but has gained renewed traction following Trump’s recent remarks. In a December interview with the New York Post, Trump defended the visa program, stating, “I have always liked the visas; I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them.”
He further elaborated, “I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It’s a great program.” Trump’s endorsement aligns with the views of tech leaders like Elon Musk and prominent figures such as Vivek Ramaswamy, Sriram Krishnan, and David Sacks.
A divisive program
The H-1B visa has long been a contentious issue among Trump’s supporters. Critics argue the program undermines American jobs, while proponents see it as essential for attracting skilled talent. Musk and other advocates emphasize the importance of skilled immigration in driving innovation and economic growth.
The video and its fallout underscore the polarizing nature of the H-1B debate, revealing deep-seated tensions around immigration and its impact on American society. As the US grapples with these issues, the discourse surrounding the H-1B visa will likely remain a flashpoint in the national conversation.