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Indian-American sports fans targeted by racist abuse online

Two US citizens of Indian descent have become targets of racist harassment on social media after attending an American football match. The incident highlights the persistence of online bigotry against people of colour at sporting events.

LSN India · 16 September 2026

Indian-American sports fans targeted by racist abuse online

Dhairya Gupta and Rahul Kodali, both American citizens, faced a barrage of racist comments and slurs on social media platforms following their attendance at a football game. The offensive posts, which included ethnically derogatory remarks, began circulating after images of the two were shared online during the sporting event.

The harassment underscores a troubling pattern of racist abuse directed at individuals of South Asian descent at public gatherings in the United States. Social media users have amplified such targeted attacks in recent years, often emboldened by the relative anonymity provided by online platforms.

Both individuals have emphasized their status as American citizens, highlighting that such prejudicial treatment remains a persistent challenge for minority communities. The incident has drawn attention from civil rights advocates and community groups who continue to document instances of online hate speech targeting ethnic minorities.

The two men's experience reflects broader concerns about racism in American society and the role of digital platforms in facilitating and spreading hateful content. Advocacy organizations have called for stronger measures from social media companies to combat such abuse and hold perpetrators accountable.