Empathy for Europe, 'mockery' for India? How the European heatwave exposes global double standards Indians face, Polish woman explains

As heatwaves become more frequent across the world, countries are finding it harder to cope with rising temperatures and their impact on daily life. While Europe is currently battling an intense spell of heat, a viral Instagram video by a Polish woman living in India has started a wider conversation about how climate-related hardships are viewed differently around the world. She questioned why similar situations often draw sympathy in Western countries but criticism when they happen in India.

Agnieszka Hadała, a Poland-born content creator based in India, shared a video arguing that global narratives tend to treat India's struggles differently. Opening the video, she asked, "Why is empathy reserved for the West while ridicule is reserved for India?"

Europe's heatwave compared with Indian summers

Speaking from Poland, where she is currently visiting, Hadała said temperatures have crossed 35 degrees Celsius in her region, making the heat difficult to bear.


"When India suffers, it's called failure. When the West suffers, it's called a tragedy. More than 1,000 people have reportedly died in France and more around Europe as an intense heatwave grips the continent. I'm in Poland right now in a mountain region, but the temperature has crossed 35 degrees. Trust me, it feels brutal," she said.

She added that schools have shut, outdoor activities have been restricted and infrastructure has come under pressure. Roads and railway tracks have reportedly been affected, while electricity systems are struggling because of rising demand for cooling. She also pointed out that many homes and offices in Europe do not have air conditioners or even ceiling fans.

Referring to a BBC report, she said Poland recently recorded a temperature of 40.5 degrees Celsius. She contrasted that with India, where temperatures above 40 degrees are common during summer.

"Now, think about this: in India, 35 degrees is considered pleasant in many places. Indian summers regularly cross 40 degrees, and in several regions, even touch 50 degrees Celsius. Yet, whenever India faces a challenge, foreign media is quick to call India 'backwards.' But today, where are those headlines?" she asked.

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Points to different reactions

Hadała also recalled viral photographs showing people sleeping outdoors at Mumbai's Versova Beach during power cuts to escape the heat. According to her, those images were turned into memes and jokes.

"Remember when photos of an Indian sleeping on Versova Beach or in parks during power cuts were circulated around the world? They became memes, they became jokes. India was mocked," she said.

She then compared those reactions with people across parts of Europe now spending nights on beaches and in parks to escape the ongoing heatwave.

"Today, across parts of Europe, people are spending nights sleeping on beaches and grass in parks because that's the cheapest air conditioning option they have. This time, the world doesn't mock them—it empathizes. And empathy is exactly what every human deserves."

'No country is immune'

Hadała clarified that her message was not about ignoring India's challenges. She acknowledged issues such as poverty and infrastructure gaps but argued that climate change is affecting every country.

"Climate extremes are being a global reality. No country is immune. Yet, somehow, only India is expected to be perfect," she said.

She also highlighted India's infrastructure growth over the past decade and concluded, "Despite that, India has built one of the world's largest metro networks, expanded highways, airports, digital payments, affordable cooling, and public infrastructure at an unprecedented pace over the last decade… Criticize India where criticism is deserved, but celebrate India's achievements with the same confidence. Because if we don't respect our own country, no one else will."