A social media post promoting an Indian Independence Day celebration in Texas has triggered anger among American influencers and even drawn criticism from some Indian-Americans.
The flyer was reportedly shared in a private Facebook group for residents of Prosper and Celina, two towns in Texas.
It invited people to attend an Indian Independence Day event in Frisco and included the line: “Way better than America’s Independence Day.”
That remark became the centre of the controversy.
Texas has already witnessed growing tensions over the increasing Indian population in recent months. Videos of Indian cultural celebrations, dances and religious rituals have often gone viral, sometimes attracting criticism and anti-Indian comments.
While many earlier incidents were seen as attempts to target Indians for social media attention, this particular flyer was criticised even by members of the Indian community.
American influencer Kaylee Campbell said she had no objection to the event itself but found the comparison with America’s Independence Day disrespectful.
She said immigrants were free to celebrate their own festivals and culture, but should not insult the country in which they had chosen to live.
Campbell argued that the statement reflected a lack of assimilation and said such comments were the reason some Americans became frustrated with immigrant communities.
She clarified that she was not blaming the entire Indian community but said the wording of the flyer was unnecessary and provocative.
Several Indian-Americans also condemned the post.
One commenter wrote that, as an Indian living legally in the United States, they were grateful for the opportunities the country had provided and believed it was wrong to claim that India’s Independence Day was better than America’s.
The controversy has once again highlighted the sensitive debate around immigration, cultural pride and assimilation in parts of Texas.
While celebrating one’s heritage is widely accepted, many users said such celebrations should not come at the cost of insulting the country where immigrants now live.
