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GOPIO forms task force to tackle rising Indian American bias
Community leaders discussed civic response and engagement strategies.
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Staff Reporter - Fri, 06, Feb 2026
- 15:30 EST
- 29
Official logo of GOPIO / Courtesy: GOPIO
In response to the increasing bias against Indian Americans in the United States, the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) USA has announced the formation of a dedicated task force for the development of a civic and democratic response.
The task force includes Rajender Dichpally as chair, along with Nagaraj Subbarao Sarma, Pankaj Sharma, Miraj Joshi, and Jayashri Chintalapudi.
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Leaders of the organization, along with representatives of the Indian-American community, in a meeting on Jan. 19 discussed the increase in anti-Indian and anti-Hindu sentiment and outlined a coordinated approach grounded in constitutional values and civic responsibility.
Additionally, GOPIO announced it will form a committee to document bias incidents, support affected individuals, and coordinate a constructive public response. The committee will also work with other minority and faith-based groups to strengthen cooperation and uphold democratic norms.
The meeting was chaired and moderated by Thomas Abraham, chairman of GOPIO USA, who outlined key challenges facing the community and possible strategic responses. Prakash Shah, president of GOPIO International, said recent hostility and anti-Indian rhetoric appeared to stem from a small fringe group on the extreme right and did not reflect mainstream American values.
Participants noted that the Indian American community is peaceful, law-abiding, and socially constructive, with no record of organized violence or social aggression. While isolated incidents may occur, they said the community’s broader contribution to American civic life, economic growth, and social cohesion remains positive.
Leaders highlighted the Indian diaspora’s role in education, information technology, medicine, hospitality, finance, entrepreneurship, and public service. Indian Americans hold leadership positions in several Fortune 500 companies and account for about 20 percent of Silicon Valley startups. The community contributes an estimated US$600 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
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The meeting observed that the rise in online hostility and bias incidents is driven largely by economic anxiety, politicization of skilled immigration, racial profiling, and the spread of stereotypes through digital platforms. Participants agreed these issues should be addressed through measured and strategic engagement rather than confrontation.
Civic participation and integration were identified as key priorities. Leaders discussed expanding voter engagement, civic education, youth leadership development, and bipartisan outreach, while encouraging community involvement in local, charitable, and interfaith initiatives.
Recommendations from the meeting included coordinated monitoring and reporting of bias incidents, strengthening civic engagement and assimilation, highlighting positive community contributions, building coalitions with other groups, and engaging responsibly with media and policymakers.
Participants emphasized unity and coordination among community organizations to avoid duplication of efforts. “The Indian diaspora’s story is one of peaceful integration, civic contribution, and shared prosperity,” participants noted. “Our response to current challenges must reflect those same values—measured, principled, inclusive, and focused on strengthening the societies we proudly call home.”
Community members have also been asked to report hate campaigns or civil rights violations involving Indian Americans to GOPIO through their designated email channel.
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