Indian

Indian-origin founder in US slams NRI mockery amid Middle East crisis: 'Have never lived...'

As tensions rise across the Middle East, online criticism targeting Indians living in the UAE has escalated, turning what many expected to be a moment of collective concern into a polarising debate. Several social media users have been accusing Gulf‑based Indians of “hypocrisy,” arguing that those who once mocked India’s safety now expect empathy as the region faces missile threats and volatility.

Amid this, several NRIs have taken a stand against the mockery. Among them is an Indian-American founder, Amrit Shenava, who challenged the surge of derisive comments, noting that many UAE Indians are second or third‑generation NRIs who have never lived in India.

"Most of the Indians in the UAE are second and third-generation NRI who have never lived in India. I am a second-generation NRI and had never lived in India before 2023. I have literally spent more time in the US than I have in India," he shared on X. "So yes, there are millions of Indian citizens who have never lived in India. Mocking them isn’t really going to help because they have never lived in India, nor did they move to the UAE because they were born there, just like me."

One widely shared reaction argued that the backlash is not aimed at the UAE but at “Indian NRIs who mock their country and people… to satisfy their ego or justify leaving India.” Another insisted that living abroad does not negate one’s connection to India, saying, “Motherland is motherland.”

Calls for restraint as crisis unfolds

Meanwhile, several other social media users echoed Shenava's message, criticising the hostility directed at UAE‑based Indians during an active crisis. Communications expert Smita Deshmukh, for example, condemned online attacks, stating that targeting NRIs while missiles fly across the region is “dumb, unpatriotic and ruthless.” She emphasised the Gulf’s importance, noting that the GCC hosts nearly nine million Indians and remains one of India’s strongest strategic and energy partners.

Users also warned against politicising the situation: “The geopolitical debates can wait. Standing by our GCC partners is non‑negotiable.” Another reminded critics that Dubai has repeatedly rebounded from natural and regional shocks, arguing that the mockery amounts to jealousy rather than patriotism.

Community stands firm in the UAE

Despite the online hostility, those in the UAE stressed that operations continue as normal, describing daily life as “business as usual.” One commenter thanked the UAE leadership for its crisis management, urging critics to recognise the resilience of a city that has “bounced back” repeatedly.

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