I don't hate racist: Sridhar Vembu says they hold a mirror to the country and only way you can respond is...

Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu has argued that India should respond to racism and prejudice by focusing on national development rather than hatred. His remarks came after American investor Eric Weinstein highlighted what he described as growing hostility towards Indians, Hindus and Indian-Americans, prompting a discussion on social media about how India should respond to such attitudes.

Vembu said building a stronger country through the talent and capabilities of its people was more important than reacting with hostility towards those who express racist views. He also said he did not hate people who believed India would never develop, stressing that progress depended on the willingness to build.

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What Eric Weinstein said about anti-India sentiment

The discussion began when Weinstein took to X to raise concerns about what he described as growing hatred towards India and its people. He also asked those who shared such sentiments to unfollow him.

“Seeing a lot of growing raw hatred against India, Indians, Hindus, Indian-Americans, etc. for no reason. Would be happy to have anyone who feels that hatred quietly unfollow me. Simple. Clean. Thanks in advance,” Weinstein wrote.


Vembu responded by shifting the focus from the hostility itself to India's ability to develop its strengths and earn respect internationally.

Why Sridhar Vembu says he does not hate racist people

Vembu argued that India would gain genuine international respect by developing through the talents of its own people, regardless of political ideology elsewhere.

“Until India develops, based on the talents of our own people, we will not find true respect in the world, no matter whether right, left or center...” he wrote.

Explaining why he did not want to respond to racist remarks with hatred, Vembu said such criticism should instead serve as motivation to build a stronger country.

“The racist shows us a mirror and asks: ‘if your nation is smart, why do you want to come here’. I do not hate him, I want to respond by building. Some Indians agree with the racist and think India will never develop. I do not hate them either, I want to respond by building,” Vembu wrote.

He concluded by emphasising the importance of belief and action in building successful companies and nations.

“Companies and nations are built by people who believe it can be done. The urgent national priority is to build, build and build,” he said.

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How social media users reacted to Vembu's remarks

Vembu's post drew responses from users on X, with some backing his emphasis on development and others highlighting India's cultural identity and the importance of prosperity.

One user supported his approach, writing, “Hi Sridhar, very nicely said. Response to all the negatives is being positive, build and grow tall to a level where we no more hear those noises!”

Another user highlighted India's cultural diversity while agreeing that economic progress remained important.

“India is one of the most culturally vibrant countries in the world. That should be enough for our own self respect. But we must build for prosperity and abundance,” the user wrote.