Blinded by Bias: The Political Inanity of NRIs in North America

How Technical Expertise Doesn’t Translate to Political Insight Among NRIs Abroad

MOST HINDU NRIs in North America are highly competent in their technical jobs, but they are naïve simpletons when it comes to understanding Indian politics.

I wrote about this some time back:

“Since I am in America, let me express my opinion about NRIs (non-resident Indians) who live here. Almost all of them are extremely skilled and specialized in their fields, especially in Information Technology. However, they have two major flaws:

They have very little understanding of Indian politics.

I remember when I visited North America shortly before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. I found that almost all NRIs were solid supporters of Modi. No amount of rational discussion could change their view. But later, when it became obvious that Modi was a hollow demagogue, the NRIs shifted their support to that cunning showman, Kejriwal, and sent significant financial support to AAP. The NRIs seem willing to follow any deceitful figure who can momentarily captivate them. They lack a deep understanding of Indian politics, behaving like gullible children who can be led astray by any Pied Piper.

Living in North America, many of them think they have the solutions to India’s massive problems of poverty, unemployment, malnutrition, inadequate healthcare, and the lack of quality education for the masses. Predictably, the solution most of them advocate is free enterprise, the economic gospel of America.”

An American Muslim friend, originally from Pakistan and who migrated to America about 50 years ago, recently wrote to me:

“When I arrived in America in the 1970s, I had many Hindu friends from India who were completely secular. But now, a new wave of Modi supporters has emerged in North America. They dislike Muslims and have a strong aversion to Pakistanis. This is the current reality. My first roommate in North America, 50 years ago, was a Hindu friend from Pune. We are still in touch.”

One would assume that Indians living in North America would rise above casteism and communalism. However, the reality is that Hindu Indians in North America have brought their casteist and communal biases with them from India.

In recent years, support for Modi has increased significantly among NRIs in North America. RSS ‘shakhas’ are held in many parts of the U.S. and Canada. Modi is welcomed with great enthusiasm whenever he visits, as seen in events like Madison Square Garden in New York or the ‘Howdy Modi’ gathering in Houston, Texas, where NRIs greeted him with fervor, reminiscent of Germans shouting ‘Heil Hitler’ at a Nazi rally.

What these NRIs deliberately ignore are the atrocities and oppression of Muslims in India, such as lynchings, brutal beatings for not saying “Jai Shri Ram,” the demolition of their homes, and the imprisonment of individuals for extended periods on frivolous charges (e.g., Umar Khalid) — all stemming from Modi’s policy of hatred towards Muslims, as highlighted in my interview with Kapil Sibbal.

NRIs in North America excel in technical skills, but their understanding of Indian politics is largely shallow and misguided. They are often polarized along religious lines, and any fraudster, like Modi, can easily deceive them. They follow him like rats following the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

Also Read: The Illusion of Indian Pride

Disclaimer : PunjabTodayNews.com and other platforms of the Punjab Today group strive to include views and opinions from across the entire spectrum, but by no means do we agree with everything we publish. Our efforts and editorial choices consistently underscore our authors’ right to the freedom of speech. However, it should be clear to all readers that individual authors are responsible for the information, ideas or opinions in their articles, and very often, these do not reflect the views of PunjabTodayNews.com or other platforms of the group. Punjab Today does not assume any responsibility or liability for the views of authors whose work appears here.

Punjab Today believes in serious, engaging, narrative journalism at a time when mainstream media houses seem to have given up on long-form writing and news television has blurred or altogether erased the lines between news and slapstick entertainment. We at Punjab Today believe that readers such as yourself appreciate cerebral journalism, and would like you to hold us against the best international industry standards. Brickbats are welcome even more than bouquets, though an occasional pat on the back is always encouraging. Good journalism can be a lifeline in these uncertain times worldwide. You can support us in myriad ways. To begin with, by spreading word about us and forwarding this reportage. Stay engaged.

— Team PT