Unruly, uncouth and uncivilised: Indians abroad criticised for boorish behaviour
Videos from the US, UK and Canada showing Indians violating local laws during Diwali celebrations have drawn sharp criticism. Community leaders urge NRIs to act responsibly and respect local customs to uphold India’s global image
Hyderabad: As Indians celebrated Diwali across the world, several videos and reports of disruptive and inconsiderate behaviour surfaced online, showing groups of people creating a nuisance in parts of the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
In many videos that captured people at their worst, Diwali, the festival of lights, appeared to have turned into a display of unruly behaviour, with some individuals damaging public property and disobeying local laws in foreign countries.
Viral clips on social media show police and fire departments in cities such as London, New York and Dallas, among others, rushing to control crowds that lit fireworks late into the night, causing disturbance on the streets.
The Police Department in Morrisville, North Carolina in the US, posted on its community page on Tuesday, the night after Diwali celebrations: “Recently, illegal fireworks were set off at Church Street Park, damaging the cricket field and leaving behind a significant amount of litter. The incident jeopardises community safety and negatively impacts local sports programmes and park visitors.”
The disregard shown by sections of the Indian diaspora for local regulations has sparked widespread reactions on social media. A video posted on the Instagram page ‘nri_adda’, run by non-resident Indians, shows a house catching fire in Edmonton, in Canada’s Alberta province. The video lends weight to the local authorities’ repeated calls for strict adherence to safety guidelines during such celebrations.
The Indian community’s disregard for rules and guidelines issued by local authorities is not restricted to festivals. Such boorish behaviour is often seen during the foreign releases of films featuring Indian superstars.
Recently, screenings of the Pawan Kalyan films They Call Him OG and Hari Hara Veera Mallu had to be disrupted in a few places as fans threw confetti and created chaos inside theatres. Videos of such instances also show theatre staff urging moviegoers to behave responsibly.
Other instances of such uncouth behaviour include loud and disruptive rallies taken out by followers of Indian political parties living abroad when their favourite leaders visit those countries to address expatriates.
Meanwhile, some NRI associations have urged Indians living abroad not to indulge in such behaviour, emphasising the importance of respecting local laws and cultures. Responding to the incidents, Avi Dandiya, an Indian expat who advocates responsible conduct among Indians overseas, released a video condemning the reckless acts. He said the honour of one’s country should be placed above personal beliefs or religious sentiments.
The growing tendency among certain groups to flout foreign laws not only brings disrepute to those who abide by the rules but also tarnishes India’s image globally. As seen in recent cases, such unruly behaviour has even been cited as one of the reasons behind visa refusals to Indian travellers. With an increasing number of Indian students and tourists reportedly facing visa rejections in several countries, the growing disapproval of such behaviour has become more evident.
With Indian tourists and expatriates already facing criticism and occasional discrimination over perceived unruly conduct, it is important for citizens travelling or living abroad to act with respect, consideration and compassion to uphold the nation’s dignity and the reputation of its communities overseas.
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