Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:48am on 27 Nov 2025,Thursday India Global
Several US-based X accounts recently exploited old photos of Rajendra Panchal, a 40-year-old Pune helper, to post racist content targeting Indians. Panchal suffered a jaw fracture at age one, leading to TMJ ankylosis, a condition fusing his jaw to his skull. Unable to afford surgery, he survived 38 years on liquids until receiving free treatment in 2017. Racist American users circulated his pre-surgery images, calling Indians "deformed job-stealers," aligning with Trump's MAGA rhetoric. One post garnered 11 million views. A September 2025 report documented 680 high-engagement anti-Indian posts totaling 281 million views, with 70% framing Indians as "invaders." This xenophobia intensified under Trump's second term, targeting even disability. (PC: X via Mohammed Zubair)
