Samir Kalra / Courtesy Photo/ Samir Kalra

As India celebrates its 79th Independence Day, marking 78 years of independence from the British, the Indian American community has much to be proud of. Indian Americans from diverse backgrounds have achieved tremendous success across multiple industries and reached the highest echelons of power and influence from Silicon Valley to Washington, D.C. For a small immigrant community that first arrived in the early 1900s, to larger streams of immigrants who came to American shores in the 1960s and subsequent decades, the community has, for the most part, always endeavored to integrate into American society, while still retaining its Indian culture, identity, and religious traditions. 

This hyphenated Indian-American identity that brings together the best of two worlds can best be seen at the micro level where families instill a sense of pride and actively pass on Indian heritage and culture to the next generation. It's also evident at the macro level where the ubiquitous presence of Indian inspired food, products, and practices rooted in Hindu Dharma has made its way into the mainstream, alongside the vibrant festivals and events that dot the American landscape in cities across the country. 

At no time is this perhaps more apparent than at the time of Indian Independence on Aug.15, when celebratory parades and melas (fairs) are held in most major cities and attended by Indians and non-Indians alike. Indian American children, parents, and grandparents representing the width and breadth of India and spanning multiple generations gather to showcase their culture. At the same time, local elected officials line up to congratulate the community for its many contributions to American society and their local communities. 

One would think that this level of integration, positive contributions, and achievement would be celebrated as the epitome of the immigrant success story, but the increased visibility and prominence have instead led to increased resentment and put a target on their backs. 

What has unfolded has been a precipitous spike in ugly xenophobia, blatant racism, and anti-Hindu hate, most visible on social media but certainly not limited to its confines. Both the far-left and the far-right have been equal opportunity offenders, perpetuating hateful stereotypes and justifying or often gleefully celebrating discrimination and violence against Indian Americans.

Even more concerning is the relentless push for the adoption of discriminatory, unconstitutional policies across local, state, and federal jurisdictions that racially profile and restrict the civil rights of Indian Americans. For example, transnational repression bills that whitewash Khalistani extremism, caste policies that single out and target Indian Americans, and dozens of resolutions misrepresenting ground realities in India and demonizing Hindus have been prominent at the local, state, and federal levels.

While much of the impetus for these policies lies within subcontinental political battles that have reemerged here in the US, the extremes on the American left and the right have been all too happy to exploit them and use them to justify curbs on immigration, discrimination further, and hate crimes against Indian Americans.  

Let's also be clear that while the broader Indian American diaspora has certainly been targeted, Hindus specifically have been singled out in particular, and the hate is steeped in anti-Hindu animus.

Although the current trajectory of events and attempts to scapegoat Indians is definitely worrisome, it will not define the Indian American story. As both contemporary and civilizational Indian history demonstrate, Indians and Hindus are highly resilient people who have not just survived but thrived. Whether the horrors of partition and the ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Hindus, more recently, European colonialism or medieval Islamist invasions from Central Asia and the Middle East, Indians have always found a way to build (and rebuild), produce, and move forward. 

The experience of the Indian American diaspora will be no different. 

And ultimately, that is the Indian American story. It is a story of resilience and overcoming obstacles to build successful families, communities, and societies. 

So as we celebrate Indian Independence Day and our rich heritage that helps to define and shape our identity today, regardless of how far removed we are from India, one thing is for sure - whatever is thrown our way, Indian Americans will have the fortitude to overcome it and thrive. 

Indian Americans are a force to be reckoned with and are here to stay. And we're not going anywhere any time soon.

The author is the managing director of the Hindu American Foundation

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of India Abroad)