An Indian-American Man Racially Abused in California
Introduction
An Indian-American man named Krishnan Jayaraman was subjected to racial abuse by another individual, Tejinder Singh, in a Taco Bell located in Fremont, California. The incident took place on August 21, and it was captured on video by Jayaraman himself.
The Verbal Attack
Tejinder Singh, a 37-year-old resident of Union City, targeted Jayaraman with a series of racist slurs and offensive language. In the video, which lasted over eight minutes, Singh can be heard referring to Jayaraman as a “dirty Hindu” and a “disgusting dog.” He also repeatedly used the N-word and insinuated that Jayaraman did not eat meat.
The insulting tirade escalated when Singh shouted “beef!” in Jayaraman’s face and appeared to spit at him twice. The video also captured Singh saying, “…this ain’t India! You…India up, and now you’re…America up.”
Criminal Charges
Tejinder Singh was later charged with multiple offenses, including a hate crime in violation of civil rights, assault, and disturbing the peace by offensive language. The Fremont Police Department listed Singh as “Asian/Indian” in their charging documents.
Recording and Fear
Jayaraman recorded the entire incident on his phone, capturing the abusive language and behavior. He expressed his fear and frustration, especially upon discovering that the perpetrator was also of Indian descent. Jayaraman stated, “I was scared, to be honest with you. I was infuriated on the one hand, but I was scared that what if this guy becomes too belligerent and then comes after me?”
After enduring the verbal abuse, Jayaraman and a restaurant employee promptly contacted the Fremont police, who are currently investigating the incident.
Police Chief’s Response
Following the incident, Fremont Police Chief Sean Washington addressed the community through social media. He conveyed the seriousness with which hate incidents and crimes are treated by the police department, emphasizing the impact such incidents have on the community.
Chief Washington’s statement read, “We take hate incidents and hate crimes seriously, and understand the significant impact they have on our community. These incidents are despicable. We are here to protect all community members, regardless of their gender, race, nationality, religion, and other differences.” He further urged the community to report any similar circumstances that may rise to the level of a hate crime.
The police chief acknowledged that Fremont is known for its diversity and expressed gratitude for the contributions made by community members from various cultures and backgrounds.
Similar Incident in Texas
On the same day as Jayaraman’s incident, four Indian-American women were subjected to racial abuse in a parking lot in Dallas, Texas. The perpetrator, identified as Esmeralda Upton, a Mexican-American woman, directed racist slurs at the women, telling them they were “ruining” America and should “go back to India.”
Upton has been arrested in connection with the incident, which has sent shockwaves through the Indian-American community across the country.
Conclusion
The incidents involving Krishnan Jayaraman in California and the four Indian-American women in Texas highlight the persistence of racial abuse and discrimination faced by minority communities. Such incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of combating hate crimes and fostering inclusivity in society.