An Indian-origin woman has claimed she was slapped by a stranger in Ireland, claiming the incident was racially motivated. The woman shared her account on the social networking site Reddit, where it went viral and sparked debate about racism and safety abroad, especially for Indians.
According to her post, the incident involved a “white girl” who allegedly assaulted her without any prior interaction. The woman said the experience left her shaken and reinforced concerns she had heard earlier about racism in the country. “I heard about racism,” she wrote, noting that the incident confirmed her fears.Read the post: “I am a 28 year old working woman of Indian origin. I lived in the United States for many years before that.
I came to Dublin where my company transferred me. I’ve had nothing but great experiences with Irish people even though I’ve heard about racism. This incident was surprising to me. I was leaving my office, minding my own business, when suddenly this girl who was walking next to me slapped me and continued walking as if nothing had happened.
What’s worse is that the people around us didn’t bother either. What does one do in such a situation? I have never experienced such things in the United States.”
Details about the exact location, time and circumstances of the alleged assault remain unclear. It is also unknown whether a formal complaint has been filed with local authorities. There has been no official confirmation of the incident from Irish police at this stage.The claim sparked mixed reactions online. Some users expressed concern and called for tougher action against racism, while others urged caution, noting that only one side of the story is publicly available so far.Incidents involving alleged racial discrimination against Indians abroad are reported from time to time, often sparking strong reactions on social media.In the United States, hatred against Indians and South Asians has increased. Reports show a 115 percent increase between 2023 and 2025, with racial slurs, stereotypes and online abuse linked to immigration discussions, especially around H-1B visas, according to data cited by The New York Times.In Ireland, several violent incidents have been reported. In July 2025, an Indian man in Dublin was stripped naked and brutally assaulted by a group, leaving him injured and requiring hospital treatment. Police opened an investigation into the attack as a possible hate crime. In another case, a six-year-old girl of Indian origin was attacked and told to “go back to her country.””In the United Kingdom, there have been targeted incidents against Indian communities. Earlier this month, Indian-owned shops were attacked in Wembley, and violence disrupted the Holi celebration, raising concerns that were raised in Parliament.In Australia, residents of Indian origin reported increased hostility. Cases include vandalism of Indian-owned businesses and an increase in racist abuse online, with community members saying they feel unsafe going out alone.
