A simple birthday celebration turned sour for a Norwegian man after he shared a picture of his "chole chawal" meal on X (formerly Twitter), sparking a wave of anti-India hate comments. The incident highlights the rising trend of online toxicity and racist slurs directed towards individuals of Indian origin.
The man, who is based in Norway, posted a photo of his meal, consisting of "chole" (chickpea curry), rice, and naan, with the caption "Indian food for my birthday". While many users appreciated his attempt to explore Indian cuisine and offered suggestions for other dishes to try, the post was soon flooded with hateful and anti-Indian comments.
Several comments referenced "cow dung," with users claiming that Indians regularly consume it. One user wrote, "That's Indian food? I don't see any cow poop," while another said, "I can never eat Indian food". Other derogatory remarks included "Why does it look like poop? People actually choose to eat this?" and "So you basically hate yourself".
The incident has ignited concerns about the increasing anti-India sentiment on social media platforms, particularly on X. The Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH), a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, conducted an analysis in February that revealed a significant surge in anti-India hate posts on X. The study indicated that these attacks are not solely targeted at Hindus but are directed at anyone perceived to be of Indian origin.
The online abuse faced by the Norwegian man is not an isolated incident. Instances of racism and hate speech against Indians have been on the rise, both online and offline. A recent video went viral showing a white man in Canada screaming anti-India and racist slurs at an Indian worker. These incidents underscore the need for greater awareness and action to combat prejudice and discrimination against people of Indian descent.
Social media users have expressed outrage and disappointment over the hateful comments directed at the Norwegian man. Many have condemned the racist remarks and called for greater responsibility from social media platforms to moderate content and prevent the spread of hate speech. Some users have also emphasized the importance of promoting cultural understanding and appreciation to counter negative stereotypes and prejudice.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of online hate and the need for collective efforts to address it. It also highlights the importance of promoting tolerance, respect, and understanding between different cultures and communities.
