New Delhi - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Short answer: yes. Any generalizations are hard to make. It does vary by person and strata. - Apr 2024
It seems to be pretty common knowledge that there's a fair amount of animosity towards people of Muslim faith throughout India. - Jan 2022
In my opinion, there is tons of prejudice within Indian society. Whiter skin is better than black. Vegetarian is better than meat-eaters. Hindu is better than all other religions. Also, India seems to have a huge chip on its shoulder as a perpetual victim who has never been given its due on the world stage. In my opinion, women are treated like dirt. As a woman, don’t be surprised to speak and have the taxi driver, salesman, any random Indian male, completely ignore you, ESPECIALLY if a man is with you because good women know that they should be quiet and let the man speak for them. - Jul 2020
Sure, but they tend to be isolated incidents. For the most part Delhi is friendly and accepting city. - Jul 2019
Genders are not equal in eyes of most Indians. - Oct 2017
People with dark skin may face prejudice. I heard several times the assumption that every black person is a drug dealer from Africa. From what I could most religious beliefs are accepted, at least in Delhi. For locals, there is not much gender equality, but as a foreigner it is much better. - Mar 2017
Yes. Women are still not quite equals. But also depends largely on caste/status and where you are - dynamic is different in the south. - Feb 2017
Yes. This is India. - Nov 2016
Caste and perceived social hierarchy are alive and well in India. Without saying too much here, many people are very conscious of their own level and rank in society with the predictable outcomes. - Sep 2014
This is a different culture, where the caste system is still in effect, and where many people definitely have that servant mentality that I'm not used to. But at the same time, India is very diverse, and people come from a wide variety of religious backgrounds and beliefs. So it's not uncommon or uncomfortable to have religious symbols and concepts as part of daily life and conversation. Overall I have found people to be pretty open and friendly and not prejudiced. - Sep 2014
Against women. Absolutely. It's oppressive for women. - Aug 2013
Yes. Americans, except for Caucasian Americans, learn to develop a thick skin. Indians (sadly) treat white people better than they treat each other. Other ethnicities are treated as a curiosity, at best. This is a country where both male and female stars endorse bleaching and fairness products. You will find women who excel in every field of Delhi society, however violence towards women, molestation, rape, and harassment are a daily reality. Indians are also very weight conscious (the former Miss India, Aishwarya Rai, was skewered in the press for taking too long to lose weight after her pregnancy), so if you are overweight, steel yourself for some harsh comments and humor. Words to identify people of various races and ethnicities that would shock an American are fairly common here. - May 2013
Yes, communal violence is alive in India, but the metros are far more cosmopolitan. - Oct 2012
Not from what I've seen. - Sep 2012
across the board in a subtle manner I would argue - yes. the only expat group that I would have legitimate security concerns for would be females. - Aug 2011
Yes, racial prejudices against Americans of color. Women are belittled and single women are especially subject to sexual assualt. - Aug 2011
India is riven with prejudices, but very very rarely do they have a personal impact on expatriates. There are some places where women will be hassled if alone. - Jan 2011
India is a secular country, but the religious divides are serious and deep. Foreigners don't get "hassled" unless they are involved with religious conversion activities. Gender issues abound with women at the bottom of the totem pole. - Sep 2010
Many. Members of the higher castes treat miserably the people of lower castes. My Indian colleagues say that caste-ism does not exist... but I have been able to witness it on a daily basis. - Aug 2010
Yes--it's difficult being a woman in India but being an American woman makes it easier. There are also racial and religious tensions. - Aug 2010
Yes, big time. If you are male and white the society looks at you differently. - Aug 2010
The different religions seem to get on pretty well here. Of course, again, prejudices against women are a big thing. You only have to read the Indian newspapers every day to see it. If you complain about something as a woman no one listens to you, another story if a man complians. As a woman you tend to lose confidence in yourself after a while. - Mar 2008
Religious, no. Gender, yes. Women are lower on the totem pole in accordance with Indian tradition but my mom and I haven't had any negative experiences. Also according to Indian tradition and the caste system, people of darker skin color are lower on the pole. - Feb 2008
