Call to investigate barrage of hate messages targeting Indian people in Ireland
People taking part in a silent protest for migrant workers and their families outside the Department of the Taoiseach on August 13, 2025 following a spate of attacks on members of the Indian community. Picture: PA
The authorities are being asked to investigate a barrage of messages targeting the Indian community last year — forcing an annual day of celebration to be postponed for fear of attacks — to confirm whether it was part of an orchestrated campaign to foment anti-Indian sentiment in Ireland.
Calls and social media posts targeting the Ireland India Council, as well as several high-profile physical attacks in the community, led to an India Day event being postponed last year.
More than 90% of the calls the council received, some made at 4am, appeared to originate from the US, the council said ahead of this year’s event next weekend.
The co-chairman of the Ireland India Council, Prashant Shukla, said Irish authorities should investigate the incident as it could happen again to a different minority community.
“Irish authorities need to look at it comprehensively, and they should not only see it as an issue for one particular community,” said Mr Shukla.
“I was of the very clear view that last year the Indian community was targeted because it is linked to Irish progress, the Irish tech industry, and healthcare.
“That was unnatural, it was orchestrated somewhere, and there was something behind that, and we really don’t know until it is properly investigated.”
The campaign involved messages being sent to the Ireland India Council’s social media platforms and the phone number listed on its website.
Calls left on the group’s voicemail system, which transcribes messages that it records, were “really very hostile in nature” and “some were very threatening and abusive”, Mr Shukla said.
He said between 90%-95% of messages appeared to be from the US.
The India Day event last year was called off after organisers expressed concern that a perception of the event could be “used to trigger violence somewhere else”.
The Indian embassy in Dublin had warned Indian citizens last year to take “reasonable” precautions and avoid deserted areas after an apparent increase in physical attacks.
Such incidents were highlighted after an unprovoked attack by youths on an Indian man in Tallaght, where he was partially stripped and beaten.
More than 35,000 foreign nurses and midwives working in Ireland in the wake of “horrific attacks” on migrants were left in fear about what might happen to them, the Irish Midwives and Nurses Organiation (INMO) warned in the aftermath.
Asked if comments on social media contributed in some way to violent incidents against the Indian community last year, Mr Shukla said “probably”, but that further investigation was required.
“Definitely, these kinds of comments are fuelling the hatred among the people,” he said.
“But also, I am really thankful and grateful to the Irish authorities. They did a wonderful job, and this year you will see it is very calm, peaceful and very friendly on our social media.”
India Day is being held this year in Trim, Co Meath, on Sunday, August 30, and will feature music and dance performances and celebrate business and trade ties.
India Day is usually held at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park, but was unavailable this year due to Ireland hosting the EU presidency.
It is expected that the event will return to Farmleigh next year, but additional events may now also be held in Trim.
The Department of Justice said it does not comment on operational matters regarding “current or potential” investigations by An Garda Síochána.
In a statement, An Garda Síochána said it continues to engage with the Indian community in Ireland.
“Gardaí have also provided safety advice talks to members of the Indian community at a number of community events,” it said.
“We would like to reassure those of an ethnic or minority background that we are here to keep you safe.”
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