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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline FEBRUARY 13, 2026 | The Indian Eye 20

GOPIO-Led Meeting of Community

Leaders Outlines Strategic Civic Response

to Rising Bias Against Indian Americans

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY

eaders of the Global Organiza-
tion of People of Indian Origin
L(GOPIO) USA and represen-
tatives of several Indian American
community organizations met on
January 19, 2026, to deliberate on the
growing incidence of anti-Indian and
anti-Hindu sentiment in the United
States and to chart a collective re-
sponse grounded in civic engagement,
democratic values, and social respon-
sibility.
The meeting was chaired and
moderated by Dr. Thomas Abraham,
Chairman of GOPIO USA, who pre-
sented an overview of recent chal-
lenges confronting the community
and outlined possible strategic path-
ways to address them. GOPIO Inter-
national President Prakash Shah told
participants that the recent spike in
hostile rhetoric appeared to be driv-
en by a small fringe from the extreme
right and did not reflect mainstream
American opinion or values.
Participants stressed that the
Indian American community has tion and sustained commitment to Strengthening civic engagement Concluding the meeting, partic-
a long-standing record of peaceful the country’s growth and prosperity. emerged as a central theme of the ipants called for greater unity and
integration, respect for the law, and The discussion noted that recent meeting. Leaders underscored the coordination among existing organ-
constructive participation in public increases in online hostility and bias importance of balancing cultur- isations to avoid duplication of ef-
life. While acknowledging that isolat- incidents appear to be linked less to al pride with deeper assimilation forts and to amplify impact. GOPIO
ed misunderstandings and incidents issues of crime or integration and through active participation in civic reaffirmed its role as an inclusive and
can occur, community leaders said more to economic anxieties, politici- institutions, neighbourhoods, and trusted platform for dialogue, institu-
these should not obscure the broad- sation of skilled immigration, racial democratic processes. The group dis- tional engagement, and positive sto-
er reality of overwhelmingly positive profiling, and the rapid spread of ste- cussed initiatives aimed at expanding rytelling about the Indian diaspora.
contributions by Indian Americans reotypes through digital platforms. voter engagement, civic education, “The Indian diaspora’s story is
to the social, economic, and civic fab- Participants agreed that such chal- youth leadership development, and one of peaceful integration, civic
ric of the United States. lenges require a calibrated and stra- bipartisan outreach, alongside en- contribution, and shared prosper-
Speakers highlighted the com- tegic response, rather than confron- couraging participation in local com- ity,” participants said, adding that
munity’s prominent role across key tation, in order to protect community munity activities, charitable work, the community’s response to present
sectors, including education, infor- safety while upholding constitutional and interfaith efforts. challenges must remain measured,
mation technology, medicine, hospi- principles and democratic norms. Community leaders also empha- principled, and focused on strength-
tality, finance, entrepreneurship, and As part of this approach, GOPIO sised the need to proactively highlight ening the societies it calls home.
public service. Indian Americans decided to establish a dedicated com- positive contributions made by Indian As a concrete follow-up, GOPIO
hold leadership positions in numer- mittee to document incidents of bias, Americans and to engage responsibly announced the formation of a Task
ous Fortune 500 companies and are assist affected individuals, and coor- with media and policymakers. They Force to document hate campaigns
associated with nearly 20 per cent of dinate a constructive public response. said it was important to distinguish and civil rights violations affecting
startups in Silicon Valley. Estimates The committee will also seek collabo- between legitimate policy debate and the community. The Task Force will
discussed at the meeting placed the ration with other minority and faith- harmful stereotyping or digital hate, be chaired by Rajender Dichpally,
community’s annual contribution to based organisations to strengthen while building coalitions with other with members Nagaraj Subbarao
the U.S. economy at around USD inter-community solidarity and re- communities committed to plural- Sarma, Pankaj Sharma, Miraj Joshi,
600 billion, reflecting deep integra- inforce shared democratic values. ism, inclusion, and social harmony. and Jayashri Chintalapudi.

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