Kamal Ghorui
An Indian-origin woman has alleged that she was slapped by a stranger in Ireland, claiming the incident was racially motivated. The woman shared her account on social media Reddit, where it went viral and sparked debate around racism and safety abroad, especially for Indians. According to her post, the incident involved a “white girl” who allegedly assaulted her without any prior interaction. The woman said the experience left her shaken and reinforced concerns she had heard earlier about racism in the country. “Had heard about the racism,” she wrote, suggesting the episode confirmed her fears.The post read: “I’m a 28 year old working woman of Indian origin. Have lived in the US for many years before this. Came to Dublin as I was flown in by my company. I’ve had nothing but great experiences with the Irish folks although had heard about the racism. This incident was out of the blue for me. I was exiting my office, minding my own business and this girl walking by me slapped me suddenly and kept on walking like nothing happened. What’s worse is that people around us didn’t bother too. What does one do in such a case? I have never experienced such things in the US.”
Details about the exact location, time, and circumstances of the alleged assault remain unclear. It is also not known whether a formal complaint has been filed with local authorities. There has been no official confirmation of the incident from Irish police at this stage.The claim has triggered mixed reactions online. Some users expressed concern and called for stricter action against racism, while others urged caution, noting that only one side of the story is publicly available so far.Incidents involving alleged racial discrimination against Indians abroad have been reported from time to time, often drawing strong responses on social media.In the United States, hate against Indians and South Asians has risen. Reports show a 115 per cent increase between 2023 and 2025, with racial slurs, stereotypes and online abuse linked to immigration debates, especially around H-1B visas, according to data cited by the New York Times.In Ireland, multiple violent incidents have been reported. In July 2025, an Indian man in Dublin was stripped and brutally assaulted by a group, suffering injuries and requiring hospital treatment. Police opened an investigation into the attack as a possible hate crime. In another case, a six-year-old Indian-origin girl was attacked and told to “go back to her country.”In the United Kingdom, there have been targeted incidents against Indian communities. Earlier this month, Indian-owned shops were attacked in Wembley, and violence disrupted a Holi celebration, prompting concerns raised in Parliament.In Australia, Indian-origin residents have reported rising hostility. Cases include vandalism of Indian-owned businesses and increasing racist abuse online, with community members saying they feel unsafe going out alone.
