A video of far-right commentator Stew Peters and comedian Leonarda Jonie spewing hate against Indian immigrants has sparked widespread condemnation online. Peters, known for his inflammatory rhetoric, posted the video on X with the caption: “This is the culture we’re importing through ‘qualified H1-B visa’ recipients.”
In the video, Peters launched into a tirade, calling Indians “cockroaches and parasites,” accusing them of “not assimilating into American culture” and making vile claims about their hygiene and moral values. Jonie, laughing along, did little to challenge Peters’ remarks, which included grotesque stereotypes and unfounded accusations.
His language was laced with vitriol as he painted a picture of Indian immigrants as a threat to American society. He went on to mock Indian cultural practices, including accusing them of brushing their teeth with the same material they use to eat soup.
“They brush their teeth with the stuff they eat soup with. That’s disgusting. Parasitic people,” Peters spat. Such comments are not only deeply racist but also ignorant, as they misrepresent the daily lives of millions of hardworking immigrants.
Perhaps the most offensive part of his rant was the suggestion that Indian immigrants were somehow corrupting American values and morality. “They sleep with white men’s wives,” Peters claimed, further perpetuating harmful stereotypes of Indian men as sexual threats. He even resorted to grotesque, unfounded claims about violence, including an appalling assertion that “they gang rape women.” These comments, laden with hate, aimed to demonize an entire community based on their ethnicity and immigration status.
His derogatory remarks about Indians also included the racial slur “dot head,” a term that has been used to demean people of Indian descent, particularly Hindus. The term “dot head” refers to the bindi, a small decorative mark worn on the forehead by many Indian women, often as a symbol of their religious or cultural identity.
In his attempt to further vilify Indian immigrants, Peters also attacked the H-1B visa program, the work visa that has allowed many highly skilled Indian professionals to contribute to the US economy. He denounced the program, implying that it was a vehicle for bringing in “third-world parasites” rather than talented individuals. “No, they are third-world pieces of crap,” he added, dismissing the invaluable contributions of these workers in technology, healthcare, and other critical sectors.
Backlash erupts online
The video triggered an immediate backlash, with many condemning the overt racism and bigotry. A user responded: “This man should be truly held accountable!” Another said, “Listen to their hate on India and Hindus, it is simply mind-blowing and disgusting.”
Indian-Americans also pointed out the targeted nature of the attack, with one tweet stating: “They are unable to bear the rise of Hindus in America. Their society is in decline with a disease called wokism, while Hindus are rising to top positions.”
Others highlighted the inherent contradictions in Peters’ statements, with one user noting: “See how they lump Hindus and Muslims together but specifically target Hindus when spewing hate.”
Divisive online polls
Adding fuel to the fire, online polls are being circulated, pitting “illegal Mexicans” against “legal Indians” as preferred immigrants. Shockingly, many voters expressed a preference for the former. One tweet read: “I think I would take a million more Mexicans in this country over 100,000 Indians.”
The larger picture
The incident comes amid heightened debates over H-1B visas, a program often criticized by far-right groups. Peters’ video, however, has been widely denounced as a new low in discourse.
Many Indian-Americans are using this moment to shed light on long-standing Hinduphobia in the US One user wrote, “In a way, I’m glad the hate is coming to the surface for all to see. Many of us Hindu-Americans have been speaking up about American Hinduphobia for years, only to be met with disbelief and dismissal. You can’t unsee it now.”
Peters’ Controversial History
Stew Peters, host of The Stew Peters Show, has a history of promoting conspiracies, including Covid-19 misinformation and anti-LGBTQ beliefs. Despite his extremist views, Peters has hosted mainstream figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee for HHS, and Kash Patel, Trump’s pick to lead the FBI.
This incident underscores the growing tensions around immigration, race, and cultural identity in the US, with Indian-Americans increasingly becoming the target of xenophobic rhetoric.
