Indian-origin entrepreneur Sriram Krishnan, recently announced by United States President-elect Donald Trump as Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence, has become the focus of a controversial social media post. The post, which depicted Sriram Krishnan as butter chicken, a dish commonly associated with Indian cuisine, sparked outrage online. It featured two images: one of Sriram Krishnan and another AI-generated image that replaced his facial features with butter chicken.
The post, captioned, “Here is what Sriram Krishnan would look like if he was butter chicken,” gained widespread attention on the platform X. Investor Jason Calacanis publicly criticized the post, calling it “disgusting” and a clear example of racism. He expressed his support for Sriram Krishnan, saying, “Sriram Krishnan is awesome, for the record.”
Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of X, reacted to Jason Calacanis’s remarks by using the “Hundred Points” emoticon. According to Emojipedia, this emoticon symbolizes “100%” agreement or pride, making Musk’s response a subtle but clear condemnation of the racist content.
Social media reactions to the post were divided. Many users criticized it, labeling it offensive and inappropriate. One user wrote, “I would say it was just a joke, but it didn’t seem funny to me.” Another added, “So distasteful.” A third commented, “Ironically, bone just reminded everyone how delicious Indian food is.” However, a small number of users argued that the image was not racist and should be taken as a joke, urging Elon Musk to view it humorously.
This controversy surrounding Sriram Krishnan has highlighted a growing wave of anti-India sentiment on social media, fueled by debates over immigration policies such as green card caps and H-1B visas. Many Americans have expressed concerns that Indian professionals are taking job opportunities away from locals, exacerbating tensions.
While Sriram Krishnan has remained silent on the matter, the incident has sparked broader conversations about racism, bias, and the treatment of immigrants. As these discussions unfold, Elon Musk’s reaction and the backlash against the post underscore the need for greater awareness and sensitivity in public discourse
