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Indian author faces backlash after admitting she refused to share food with a Pakistani fellow traveller, despite initially decrying prejudice against Indians
Indian Author Laments Prejudice Desis Face Abroad But Then Refuses To Share Food With Pakistani Man; Faces Backlash Online
An Indian novelist attempted to highlight the prejudice she believes Indians face abroad, but then she did something that turned people on the internet against her. She shared the post on X, where she revealed that she refused to share her food with a fellow passenger upon knowing he was from Pakistan, drawing widespread criticism for her behaviour.
Nivedita Shukla, a Dublin-based Indian author, shared the incident from a recent 10-hour layover at Frankfurt Airport in Germany. She said, “I have been traveling around for years but now it feels different. The hate for India and Indians is at peak and we subconsciously feel every one is hating on us.”
“My Heart Ached For Him”
She then described noticing a man whom she referred to as “a fellow brown coloured human being” wandering between food outlets at the airport. “It’s been 3 hrs now, I noticed a fellow brown colored human being who took a flight with me from Dublin. Humble clothing, unkempt face, a ragged backpack and a faded jacket. Something told me this man was poor,” she said.
The novelist felt sorry for him and believed he might be a hardworking traveller struggling to adjust to European prices. “I saw him looking at the food menu at different outlets, the cheapest I guess,” she added. “My heart ached for him, he could be a hard working brother who hasn’t come to terms with spending Euros yet.”
“I Turned Around”
Shukla then shared that she had some extra food with her, which she decided to offer it to the man. However, the interaction took an unexpected turn. She approached him and asked in Hindi whether he had travelled from Dublin. The man smiled and replied in the affirmative. When she asked where he was headed, he answered, “Karachi, Pakistan.”
“I turned around and walked back to my chair,” she said while adding that she did not offer him any food.
Im at the Frankfurt Airport for a 10 hr layover.I have been traveling around for years but now it feels different.The hate for India and Indians is at peak and we subconsciously feel every one is hating on us.It’s been 3 hrs now, I noticed a fellow brown colored human being…— Nivedita Shukla (@ShuklaNive) June 27, 2026
Internet Calls Her “Racist”
The post quickly went viral, amassing more than 2.1 million views and prompting strong reactions online. Many criticised her for discrimination, arguing that her post contradicted its opening message of prejudice.
“This is the reason why ‘we’ are facing hatred & suffering! Many Indians like you have hatred filled in yourself either due to extremist political campaigning or your upbringing. It’s the same ideology spreading hatred all over world against different people. Get well soon,” an individual said.
Another person remarked, “Your post shows and reveals that you are a racist and communalist and have a hater attitude towards Muslims and people of Pakistan irrespective of deeds and karmas……. People like you are haters.”
“Our Indian culture does not teach to offend someone like this when half of our Indian living on freebies and under the below poverty line. I met many Pakistanis in the airports and found that their behaviour & approach is much more better,” shared a person.
Someone else quipped, “Complains about racism and that the world is starting to resent Indians. Proceeds to behave like a racist herself and believe it’s a psyop from China and other south Asian countries to manufacture hate towards Indians.”
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