NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Washington, D.C, January 5, 2025: Congressman Ami Bera’s social media post celebrating the growing representation of Indian Americans in Congress has sparked a wave of backlash, exposing persistent tensions surrounding ethnic identity and representation in American politics.
Bera, who represents California’s 7th Congressional District, shared a photo of himself alongside other Indian-American lawmakers, collectively known as the “Samosa Caucus.” In his post, he remarked, “When I was sworn in 12 years ago, I was the sole Indian-American member of Congress. Now, our coalition is six strong. The future looks bright for Indian Americans in public service.” The post featured Bera alongside Representatives Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Pramila Jayapal, Shri Thanedar, and Suhas Subramanyam.
While the post was intended to highlight the strides Indian Americans have made in U.S. politics, it was met with an immediate online backlash. Critics accused the lawmakers of prioritizing their ethnic identity over their American identity.
One user commented, “If they are sent to D.C. to represent Americans, then they should be American,” ignoring the fact that most members of the Samosa Caucus were born in the United States. Others labeled the lawmakers “foreign agents” and called for their deportation. “Go back to where you came from” and “Your allegiance is clearly not to America” were among the vitriolic remarks that flooded the comments.
The term “Samosa Caucus,” coined by Congressman Krishnamoorthi, is an informal nickname for Indian-American lawmakers, reflecting camaraderie and ethnic pride. However, the backlash to Bera’s post has reignited debates about the role of ethnic identity in American politics. Some critics claimed that celebrating such solidarity was “un-American.”
“I don’t care about race, but this is not how our leaders should behave,” one comment read. Others accused the lawmakers of creating divisions. “This post divides us further as a nation,” another user remarked.
Despite the negativity, many supporters of Bera and the Samosa Caucus defended the post, emphasizing the importance of representation in a diverse democracy. “America is a melting pot,” one supporter wrote. “Having leaders who reflect that diversity is a strength, not a weakness.”
This backlash is a stark reminder of the challenges that minority groups continue to face in gaining acceptance within the political mainstream.
Cover photo courtesy of Congressman Ami Bera/Instagram.
