The Air India Crash, Online Racism, and the Dehumanization of a Community

Following the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, which resulted in 241 fatalities, social media platforms were inundated with racist comments targeting the victims. These comments, posted in the wake of the disaster, were filled with offensive stereotypes and caricatures about the passengers.

Pree Shah, residing in New York City, found the racism she encountered after the plane crash to be deeply disturbing. She described the experience as "shocking" and "difficult to stomach." For her, the tragedy was personal, as a family friend had been at the medical college where the plane crashed. Instead of offering sympathy, online users were adding to the emotional distress of the community.

The same harmful stereotypes were repeatedly used, including references to Uber drivers, Indian food, and accusations of scamming. Varsha Yajman from Sydney observed the same offensive jokes resurfacing online. She connected the rise in online hostility towards the Indian community to the growing intolerance of immigrants, particularly in the United States.

Both Ms. Yajman and Ms. Shah emphasized that the comments perpetuated damaging stereotypes about Indians. Some comments went beyond stereotypes, expressing wishes for harm to the Indian community. The volume of racist comments against Indians online is not a new phenomenon.

Sukhmani Khorana, an associate professor in media and migration, noted that the comments echoed orientalist and colonial stereotypes, dehumanizing Indians. She highlighted the lack of action from social media companies in removing the offensive content. A study published by the Center For The Study Of Organized Hate in Washington DC revealed an increase in anti-Indian hate on X, particularly after changes in ownership and political administration.

Dr. Khorana emphasized the need for greater attention to racism against Indians and South Asians from mainstream media, social media companies, and online safety regulators. She stressed the importance of treating everyone with humanity and recognizing that race is a social construct, not a biological difference.