Indian Americans victims of double standard in US

Washington, July 7 (UNI) Senator Joseph Biden, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has come in for some flak from the Indian Americans for what they call his ridiculous comments them.

Bitterly criticising the senior senator, Indian American Republican Council Chairman Dr Vijay said, ''Joe Biden has a history of making insensitive and inappropriate remarks''.

''But even for him, this recent gaffe is clearly over the top, and this wasn't the first time a Senate Democrat insulted Indian Americans,'' he said adding that in 2004, Senator John Kerry referred to Sikhs as terrorists and Senator Hillary Clinton jokingly referred to Mahatma Gandhi as a gas station owner.

A clear double-standard in the mainstream media will likely ensure Senator Biden gets a pass over these comments that would get a Republican in deep trouble if he ever made a similar statement, Dr Vijay said.

In the video clip posted on National Journal's website today, Senator Biden said, ''In Delaware, the largest growth in population is Indian Americans. You cannot go to a 7/11 (seven-eleven convenience stores) or a Dunkin Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. I'm not joking.'' Responding to his comments, Dr Vijay of Indian origin said in a statement that ''Senator Biden will be surprised to hear that I am a cardiothoracic surgeon, leading a national association of Indian Americans who are physicians, attorneys, and small business owners.

It's amazing to know we don't all work at Dunkin Donuts or the local 7/11. The contributions to America by Indian Americans in the fields of medicine, education, science, and business have been well-documented.'' UNI XC SK VA PC0910