‘There’s a lot of hate’: rightwing racism stirs south Asian mobilization in Texas
Summary
South Asian community leaders and candidates in Texas say racist online rhetoric is contributing to fear and discrimination. A report cited by the article found a 240% increase in online rhetoric targeting South Asians from January 2024 to June 2026, while recent incidents include threats against a Texas candidate and an attempted attack on a Hindu temple in Illinois.Key Facts
- Texas House candidate Pooja Sethi said a viral post featuring her campaign banner drew racist responses, including the slogan “Don’t Pooja my Texas.”
- Sethi spoke at an Austin listening session on anti-South Asian hate hosted by Indian American Impact in October.
- The Center for the Study of Organized Hate reported that online rhetoric against South Asians rose 240% between January 2024 and June 2026.
- The report cited racism, xenophobia, economic resentment, increased political visibility, and anti-migrant policies as factors behind the rise.
- In September, the Department of Homeland Security posted and later deleted an AI-generated image targeting a Sikh man and mocking his driving.
- Texas Republican railroad commission candidate Bo French posted a photo of what appeared to be South Asian students at a University of Texas football celebration with a disparaging caption.
- A Sikh truck driver was stabbed 17 times at a Wyoming rest stop about a week after the DHS post.
- Authorities reported an attempted mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, the day before the Austin event; the alleged attacker reportedly planned to kill Indian people.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
