‘Casual Racism’: Mahesh Jethmalani Says US Data Debunks ‘Takers’ Stereotype About Indians

Last Updated:January 05, 2026, 10:42 IST

Jethmalani said the data itself disproves the narrative of Indians as “takers” or “burdens,” arguing that Indians are net contributors wherever they live.

Mahesh Jethmalani (L) responded to Trump's data on X. (Pics: PTI, AP)

BJP leader and senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani on Monday pushed back against what he described as “casual racism" against Indians, after US President Donald Trump shared a post highlighting welfare recipient rates among immigrants from several countries. The list, however, did not include India.

Jethmalani said the data itself disproves the narrative of Indians as “takers" or “burdens," arguing that Indians are net contributors wherever they live.

Citing the chart shared by Trump on X, Jethmalani noted that India does not feature among the roughly 120 countries and territories whose immigrant households in the US receive welfare or assistance.

“So the casual racism against Indians as ‘takers’ or ‘burdens’ is not just ugly, it’s false," he said, adding that Indians “contribute more than they consume, pay the highest taxes, and build economies rather than drain them."

Trump’s post listed countries such as Bangladesh (54.8 per cent of immigrant households receiving assistance), Pakistan (40.2 per cent), Nepal (34.8 per cent), China (32.9 per cent), Israel/Palestine (25.9 per cent), Ukraine (42.7 per cent) and several others, but did not include India.

The chart detailed the country of birth of immigrants and the percentage of households receiving assistance in the US.

Jethmalani said the pattern extends beyond the US, pointing to Germany, where Indians earn the highest average wages among foreign nationals, about €5,400 a month, surpassing native Germans and other immigrant groups. He attributed this to “skill, education, discipline, and relentless work ethic," rather than privilege.

Data cited in the background of the debate shows Indian Americans have among the highest median household incomes in the US. According to the Pew Research Centre, Indian Americans are the second-largest Asian-origin population in the country, making up about 21 per cent of the Asian population.

In 2023, the median annual income of Indian-headed households stood at USD 151,200, compared to USD 105,600 for Asian-headed households overall. Indian immigrant–headed households also reported higher median incomes than those headed by US-born Indians, while median personal earnings of Indian Americans aged 16 and above were USD 85,300—significantly higher than the Asian average.

Jethmalani said these figures reinforce a consistent global trend. “Indians are a blessing to the nations they live in, and the numbers prove it," he said.

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