Meet the people confronting anti-Indian bigotry at Texas city council meetings | Neha Suratran & Saahas Kaul

Meet the people confronting anti-Indian bigotry at Texas city council meetings | Neha Suratran & Saahas Kaul

Author: Hindu American Foundation May 14, 2026 Duration: 30:44

In this episode of That’s So Hindu, Mat McDermott speaks with Neha Suratran and Saahas Kaul about their experiences addressing anti-Indian sentiment in their community of Frisco, Texas. They discuss the rise of misinformation on social media, the role of political rhetoric, and the importance of community advocacy. The conversation also touches on the complexities of assimilation and cultural identity for immigrants in the US, emphasizing the need for understanding and positive interactions among diverse communities.


Takeaways

  • Neha and Saahas felt compelled to speak out against misinformation.
  • The demographic shift in Frisco has led to misconceptions about the Indian community.
  • Misinformation is often perpetuated through social media and political agendas.
  • Community support was evident during the council meeting where Neha and Saahas spoke.
  • Many individuals making anti-Indian videos are not from the local community.
  • The rise in anti-Indian sentiment is linked to broader political trends.
  • Assimilation should not mean losing one's cultural identity.
  • The Indian community is gaining confidence in advocating for themselves.
  • Positive community interactions can help dismantle biases.
  • Bigotry is taught, and exposure to diversity can help unlearn it.


Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Conversation

02:59 Community Response to Anti-Indian Sentiment

10:11 The Role of Social Media in Misinformation

17:04 Political Influences and Rhetoric

22:39 Assimilation and Cultural Identity

27:32 Empowering the Community through Advocacy


Keywords

anti-Indian sentiment, misinformation, social media, community advocacy, assimilation, cultural identity, political rhetoric, H1B visas, demographic shifts, youth activism


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


There's a particular rhythm to life when ancient tradition meets contemporary reality, and That's So Hindu finds its pulse in those conversations. This isn't a lecture or a sermon; it's a series of genuine dialogues with people you might recognize from the news, from your community, or from your favorite books. Each episode sits down with a diverse array of American voices-entrepreneurs navigating boardrooms, activists organizing for change, artists creating new works, and scholars deepening public understanding-to explore a simple but profound question: how does Hinduism actively shape their daily work, their creative vision, and their personal journey? You'll hear how spiritual concepts translate into practical business ethics, how philosophical ideas inform political advocacy, and how cultural heritage fuels artistic expression. The Hindu American Foundation brings forward these stories not as monolithic statements, but as individual, lived experiences that collectively paint a vibrant picture of modern identity. The result is a podcast that feels both intimate and expansive, revealing the subtle and overt ways wisdom traditions weave through 21st-century American life. It’s about the grounding found in a morning mantra before a big meeting, the resilience drawn from an ancient story during a personal challenge, and the innovation sparked by a timeless principle. Tune in for thoughtful, often surprising discussions that celebrate the dynamic and deeply personal ways these paths are walked every day.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

That's So Hindu
Podcast Episodes
Here’s why Zoroastrianism is a dharma tradition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:06
In this episode Devala Rees lays out the similarities and differences between the ancient religion of Persia, Zoroastrianism — which is still practiced by a couple hundred thousand people today — and the Hindu Dharma Tra…
What Hindu Americans need to know about immigration today [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:26
In this episode HAF Legal Director Needhy Shah speaks with immigration attorney Akanksha Kalra. They have a wide ranging discussion on immigration issues particularly applicable to the Indian American and Hindu American…
How does the HAF team celebrate Navratri? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:31
For this episode we have something a bit different for you. It’s a special episode for Navratri, originally published in 2023. We've interviewed several members of our extended HAF team as well as members of the Hindu Am…
How was Indian society historically organized? Hint: It wasn't caste. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:01
Devala Rees is back with us this week for another informative, enlightening and hopefully entertaining discussion. This week we’re talking about how ancient Indian society organized itself, with the subtitle of “Hint: It…
How many Hindu Dharma Traditions are there? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:48
This week we’ve got another special episode with HAF’s Devala Rees. This time we’re talking about why HAF has been using the term Hindu Dharma Traditions wherever it makes sense, rather than Hinduism. Plus how many diffe…
A dharmic investing take on Bitcoin | Easan Katir [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:54
In this episode we speak with HAF’s own Easan Katir about cryptocurrency and Bitcoin investing from a dharmic perspective, plus AI, the energy demands of both of those, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo…
Hindu at Heart: Naren K. Schreiner, Purohit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:21
In this episode, part of the Hindu at Heart series, Indu Viswanathan speaks with Naren K Schreiner, one of the purohits at the Kali Mandir in Laguna Beach, California. They discuss his background and entering into Hindui…
What’s going on in Bangladesh today? | Ahnaf Kalam [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:00
In this episode Samir Kalra speaks with Ahnaf Kalam, from the Middle East Forum. They talk about so-called Red Green Alliance between Islamists and Progressives, how Woke Right figures have started to side with Pakistan…