The data is alarming – incidents of violence, online abuse, and vandalism targeting Indian Americans have increased significantly in recent years. Temples and gurdwaras vandalized. Indians framed as "dirty and smelly" online. Some have even been murdered. But why is this happening now?

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Manjusha Kulkarni, a civil rights attorney and co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, to unpack the disturbing rise in anti-Indian discrimination and what we can do to stop it.

About our guest: Manjusha Kulkarni is the Executive Director of the AAPI Equity Alliance, leading statewide efforts in California to advance equity for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. She has been recognized as one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People and featured on the Bloomberg 50 list.

In this episode, we explore:

1. The shocking data on hate incidents against Indian Americans
2. How national anti-immigrant rhetoric fuels discrimination
3. Why this moment is different from past episodes of hate (dotbusters, post-9/11)
4. The impact of the "model minority" myth and high-profile success stories
5. Concrete steps to create lasting change in our communities

This is a crucial conversation for anyone who cares about justice, equity, and building safer communities for all.

MEDIA PARTNER: New India Abroad

PRODUCERS: Ashini Jagtiani, Shannon Young

PRODUCTION PARTNER: Social Sherpa

What are your thoughts on combating anti-Indian hate?

Should Indian Americans lobby the U.S. government on behalf of India?

This episode tackles one of the most contentious debates in the diaspora, sparked by MP Shashi Tharoor's call for Indian Americans to advocate more forcefully for India, and the swift pushback that followed.

Host Sital Kalantry sits down with Kapil Sharma, a veteran of U.S.-India relations and government affairs, to unpack the issue.

They explore:

✅ The history of Indian American advocacy on the U.S.-India nuclear deal

✅ Why the diaspora is too diverse, religiously, politically, and generationally, for a single unified lobby

✅ How immigration status shapes willingness to engage in foreign policy advocacy

✅ What a truly inclusive, government-neutral Indian American political voice could look like

✅ Why domestic policy alignment must come first

This is a conversation about identity, loyalty, political power, and what it means to be part of one of America's most dynamic and divided diasporas.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:

1. Do you agree with Shashi Tharoor's call for Indian Americans to lobby for India?
2. What domestic issues do you think could unite the Indian American community across party and religious lines?
3. Have you ever felt torn between your American identity and advocating for India?

Drop your thoughts in the comments below ⬇️

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📻 About The Hyphen: Brought to you by the Roundglass India Center at Seattle University, The Hyphen explores U.S.-India relations, current events, and the transnational issues shaping Indian American civic life.

Produced by: Ashini Jagtiani-Williams & Shannon Young, Roundglass India Center

Production Partner: Social Sherpa