Biden's comments against Indian Americans irk community

Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON: Ranking Democrat in the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph Biden, who has allegedly made comments belittling Indian Americans, has come under attack from an organisation representing the community.

“In Delaware, the largest growth in population is Indian Americans, moving from India. You cannot go to a 7/11 (a chain store) or a Dunkin Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. I'm not joking," Senator Biden is reported to have said.

Slamming Biden for making ridiculous comments about the community, the Indian Americans Republican Council (IARC) said “Joe Biden has a history of making insensitive and inappropriate remarks.”

“But even for him, this recent gaffe is clearly over the top. But this isn’t the first time a Senate Democrat has insulted Indian Americans," IARC Chairman Dr Vijay said.

“In 2004, Senator John Kerry referred to Sikhs as terrorists and Senator Hillary Clinton jokingly referred to Mahatma Gandhi as a gas station owner. A clear double-standard in the mainstream media will likely ensure Senator Biden gets a pass over these comments that would get a Republican in deep trouble if he ever made a similar statement,” he said.

The Chairman of IARC said “Senator Biden will be surprised to hear that I am a cardiothoracic surgeon, leading a national association of Indian Americans who are physicians, attorneys, and small business owners".