Singapore Probes Online Anti-Indian Racist Comments Amid Nepal Floods and Air India Row
Singapore police are investigating a series of racist and xenophobic comments posted online targeting people of Indian origin, following discussions surrounding the deadly Nepal-Tibet floods and Singapore Airlines’ investment in Air India.
The comments reportedly included derogatory references to Indians and racist stereotypes involving snakes, curry, prata and black magic. Senior Minister and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam described the remarks as “shameful, nasty and totally unacceptable”.
The controversy emerged after devastating flash floods in Nepal left more than 1,200 people dead, with nine Singaporeans among those reported missing. Some online users responded with racist remarks about the missing Singaporeans and their Indian or South Asian background.
Separately, anger surrounding Singapore Airlines’ investment in Air India also triggered a wave of hostile online commentary. Singapore Airlines holds a 25.1% stake in Air India, while the Indian carrier has been seeking additional capital from its shareholders.
Shanmugam said authorities would not allow people to hide behind online anonymity and called for those responsible to be identified and dealt with. Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information is also expected to ask social-media platforms to remove posts that violate their content rules.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has separately warned that Singapore must never allow prejudice against any community to become accepted or normalised, stressing the importance of protecting the country’s multiracial social fabric.
The investigation comes after Singapore had already taken action earlier this year against online material targeting the Indian community. In June, authorities issued disabling directions covering 14 social-media posts that they said contained inflammatory narratives and threatened Singapore’s multiculturalism.
Singapore officials have also said earlier investigations found that some such material likely originated from overseas platforms and was subsequently circulated more widely. Authorities have warned that attempts to inflame ethnic tensions could undermine Singapore’s carefully maintained racial and religious harmony.
