In Frisco, the Indian American community is experiencing a troubling rise in anti-Indian sentiment, coinciding with the city's rapid growth and demographic shifts. Approximately one-third of Frisco's population of around 237,000 is Asian, predominantly Indian American, many of whom are drawn to the Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple, a significant religious site that accommodates up to 1,600 worshippers and is among the largest Hindu temples nationwide.
Recent protests against the temple have highlighted this growing tension. Demonstrators have appeared with signs and megaphones, some quoting religious texts and others expressing sentiments such as "Don’t India My Texas." In response, local supporters of the temple organized counterprotests, emphasizing community solidarity. Laxmi Tummala, a temple trustee, remarked on the triumph of love over hate during these challenging times.
Despite these supportive actions, the overall climate in Frisco has become more hostile. Online harassment against Indian Americans has increased, often stemming from outside the city. Frisco mayoral candidate Rod Vilhauer's controversial comments, which compared immigrants to pests, have further fueled discontent. Incidents of racism, including a 2022 assault on an Indian American woman in nearby Plano, underscore the growing challenges faced by the community, which has called North Texas home since the late 1960s. As Frisco evolves into a bustling economic center, the Indian American community feels both at home and under siege, reflecting wider trends of nativism in Texas.
Dallas is about 37 miles south of Celina.
Source: texasmonthly.com.