A recent incident on X (formerly Twitter) has sparked outrage online, with users condemning a post that bullied two Indian-origin startup founders for their appearance. The post targeted Varun Vummadi and Esha Manideep, IIT Kharagpur graduates and Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees, whose San Francisco-based AI startup, Giga, recently secured $61 million in funding.
The now-viral tweet, posted by X user @boneGPT, has garnered over 3.4 million views and 4,600 likes as of November 8, 2025. It mocked Vummadi and Manideep's physical appearance, triggering a wave of criticism against the user and highlighting the persistent issue of online racism and prejudice against Indians.
Giga, the startup at the center of the controversy, specializes in AI-driven customer support systems. The company's technology is designed to handle live interactions for large businesses, with AI agents capable of chatting and speaking in multiple languages. Giga is already working with companies like DoorDash, and the new funding is intended to scale up usage within Fortune 100 enterprises and expand the team.
The online backlash against the bullying tweet underscores a growing awareness of anti-Indian sentiment on social media platforms. Recent reports have highlighted a surge in anti-Indian messaging, fueled by factors such as anti-immigrant sentiment, economic anxieties, and even geopolitical events like tariff wars. A report by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate indicated a visible increase in anti-Indian hate on X, particularly following the appointment of Sriram Krishnan as Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence.
Online hate speech can have serious consequences for targeted communities, including the incitement of violence and the erosion of civil discourse. In some instances, online vitriol has translated into real-world harm, as seen in Ireland, where social media amplified far-right racism against Indians, leading to physical attacks.
The incident involving the Giga founders has resonated widely, with many users coming to their defense and denouncing the racist undertones of the initial post. Some pointed out the trolls often resort to attacking appearance when they cannot compete with someone's brilliance and success. Others highlighted the insecurity of those who make such comments, while some comments noted that the targeted founders would become millionaires, while the trolls would not.
This is not an isolated incident. A Times of India article referred to targeted hatred as a "global sport". The online space, particularly platforms like X, have become breeding grounds for insults, mockery, and expressions of hatred towards Indians. This includes stereotypes, caricatures, and even the programming of AI without safeguards to limit its use against Indians.
The incident involving the Forbes 30 Under 30 startup founders serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by individuals of Indian origin in navigating online spaces. While the success of Vummadi and Manideep is a testament to their talent and hard work, the racist abuse they encountered highlights the need for continued efforts to combat online hate and promote inclusivity. Many Indians are targeted online and offline not just as Indians but also as Muslims, Sikhs, migrants, or more broadly, as people of color. This form of racism embodies the contradiction in anti-minority rhetoric that migrants both steal 'American' jobs yet are a drain on public and national resources.
