Politics · India Bureau
US Department pulls controversial ad targeting Indian-American drivers
The US Department of Homeland Security has withdrawn an advertisement that drew sharp criticism from Indian-American and Sikh groups for its offensive stereotyping. The ad, part of a licensing campaign, prompted condemnation from Democratic leaders and civil rights advocates.
LSN India ·
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) removed the advertisement Thursday after facing significant backlash from Indian-American communities and political leaders. The social media campaign, which featured imagery of a brown-bearded man with the message "Get off our roads, you don't know how to drive Mr Singh," was intended to promote road safety and crack down on unlicensed commercial drivers.
The ad drew swift condemnation from prominent Democratic figures including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. Newsom's office released a statement describing the campaign as "disgusting" and characterizing it as "racist propaganda targeting the Sikh community" under the Trump administration.
Multiple advocacy organizations representing Indian-American and Hindu communities joined in criticizing the initiative. Groups including the Hindu American Foundation, Sikh Coalition, HinduAction, and the Coalition of Hindus of North America all denounced the advertisement as offensive and inappropriate. Their collective pushback appears to have prompted the DHS decision to withdraw the campaign.
The incident reflects broader sensitivities around stereotyping of South Asian communities in American public discourse. The removal of the advertisement underscores the continuing influence of grassroots advocacy efforts in challenging government messaging perceived as culturally insensitive or discriminatory.