Indian-American doctor Dr. Karishma Reddy responded after racist comments targeted her viral Instagram Reel about wearing a bindi.
Reddy said users told her to "go back to India" even though she was born and raised in the United States.
She addressed misconceptions about Hindu traditions and called for greater understanding.
Indian-American doctor Dr. Karishma Reddy has responded after racist comments appeared on Instagram following a Reel about a patient encounter involving her bindi. Reddy, who was born and raised in the United States, said users told her to "go back to India," prompting her to publicly address misconceptions about Hindu traditions and call for greater kindness online.
According to NDTV, Dr. Reddy shared a lighthearted Instagram Reel recounting a patient encounter involving her bindi. What began as a personal story quickly drew a wave of anti-Indian and xenophobic remarks, prompting the physician to address the backlash publicly.
In a follow-up Instagram video, Reddy said, "I have never seen so much anti-Indian rhetoric in my entire life." She explained that her years working in hospitals and clinics had been marked by kindness and respect, adding that she had rarely felt like a minority in those healthcare settings.
Dr. Reddy said the online reaction was unlike anything she had experienced before, especially after years of receiving kindness and respect from colleagues in healthcare settings.
Responding to comments about her Hindu faith, Dr. Reddy discussed misconceptions surrounding cows and beef consumption. According to The Times of India, she explained that many Hindus avoid eating beef because of the respect associated with cows and their historical role in providing milk and supporting families.
She also clarified that common stereotypes about Hindu traditions often fail to reflect the cultural and historical significance attached to these beliefs.
According to The Times of India, Dr. Reddy said she hoped her response would encourage better understanding, adding, "I hope that this at least opened your mind to Hinduism and cows." She ended her message with a simple appeal: "Be kind, please."
After posting her response, Dr. Reddy also received messages of support from viewers, including patients who praised her care. According to The Times of India, one commenter wrote, "Dr. Reddy saved my life when she gave me the opportunity to live without pain every day. Take the hate elsewhere."
Another patient thanked Reddy for providing gender-affirming care, writing, "So proud of you for showing up anyway... I am so grateful that you exist in the healthcare space." The supportive messages stood in sharp contrast to the racist remarks that prompted her response.
According to The Times of India, Dr. Karishma Reddy said she was saddened that people had become increasingly comfortable posting hateful messages on social media despite the acceptance she had experienced throughout her healthcare career.
Dr. Reddy's response received support from viewers who praised her for addressing the criticism calmly while continuing to share her cultural identity publicly.
(Rh/TP)