Indian woman faces racist abuse in Dublin; social media video sparks outrage
PTC Web Desk: A disturbing incident of racial abuse in Dublin has sparked widespread condemnation after an Indian woman, Swati Verma, shared a video of the encounter on social media. The video, which has gone viral, shows a local woman directing racial slurs at Verma, telling her to “go back to India” and questioning her presence in Ireland.
Swati Verma posted the video on Instagram, along with a detailed account of the traumatic experience. She explained that the confrontation occurred around 9 pm while she was walking home from the gym. According to her, the woman initially approached under the guise of asking for directions but quickly escalated into aggressive questioning about her immigration status.
“She asked why I came to Ireland, what I was doing here, and told me to go back to India,” Swati Verma wrote. “I never thought I’d have to justify my existence on a street I walk every day.”
Despite feeling shocked and frightened, she chose to document the incident on her phone and report it publicly to raise awareness about racism. “Racism, intimidation, and hate still exist openly on our streets,” she said. “No one should have to experience this.”
Swati Verma also observed that the woman seemed to be wearing a badge marked “DCU”, possibly indicating affiliation with Dublin City University, though she speculated the individual may have mental health issues. She emphasised that sharing the video was meant to promote public safety and vigilance.
In a pinned comment on her post, she added further details, stating that the woman invaded her personal space, touched her, and questioned her about her visa, housing status, and even the independence of India.
Social media users have expressed widespread support for Swati Verma, condemning the behaviour. One user wrote, “You never have to justify your existence to anyone,” while another added, “Hope authorities take this seriously and ensure your safety.”
- With inputs from agencies
