A prominent Indian-origin investor and founder of an advocacy group has ignited a fierce online debate with his controversial advice to young Indians, urging them to build their futures in India rather than seeking opportunities in the United States.
The Controversial Advice and Its Backlash
The investor, Sidharth, who founded the Indian American Advocacy Council, posted a message stating that Indian students are a global asset and do not require an H-1B visa or a "western zip code" to become elite. He encouraged them to focus on creating outcomes in India, suggesting the country's rise is inevitable. "Let others fight over narratives and immigration talking points. INDIAN STUDENTS should be busy creating outcomes," he wrote, adding that when Indian talent stays home, India transforms from a "market" to the "maker of the future."
This advice came at a time of increased social media attacks on Indians and H-1B visa holders, with some falsely accusing them of stealing US jobs through fraud. However, Sidharth's post was met with significant criticism, primarily from other Indians on social media.
Accusations of Hypocrisy and Eliminating Competition
Many users pointed out the apparent contradiction in Sidharth living in the US while advising others to stay in India. "When will you take your own advice and return home?" one user asked. Sidharth responded, "I'm an American. I am home." This exchange fueled further criticism, with another commenter stating, "Bro stays in the US and is advising folks in India to stay back and build the Nation ? NRI top the hypocrisy scale."
Indian YouTuber and educator Sandeep Manudhane offered a more strategic critique, suggesting Sidharth was trying to "eliminate future competition" by discouraging young talent from coming to the US. "Stays in the US. Pumps Indian young talent as outstanding. Pushes them to not try reaching the US. Eliminates future competition," Manudhane wrote.
Advocacy Group's Stance on Online Rhetoric
Amid this personal controversy, the Indian American Advocacy Council, which Sidharth founded, has publicly expressed concern over the recent wave of harmful online rhetoric targeting the Indian community. The group stated, "Threats against an ethnic community are not acceptable. Not online. Not anywhere."
The council also highlighted and protested the online targeting of Vivek Ramaswamy's children ahead of the Ohio election, linking the attacks to Ramaswamy's Indian origin. This underscores the tense environment surrounding discussions of immigration and ethnicity that formed the backdrop to Sidharth's viral advice.
The incident reveals deep divisions within the global Indian diaspora regarding opportunity, patriotism, and identity, highlighting the complex emotions tied to the brain drain versus nation-building debate.
