The video of Pawan Kalyan fans celebrating the release of his ‘OG’ in Dallas went viral, with many commenting that it was not appropriate given the prevailing mood in the US towards India and Indians. A 30-ft cutout of Pawan Kalyan was also unveiled in a theatre in Dallas on the occasion. Pawan Kalyan is also the deputy chief minister of Andhra Pradesh.The social media reactions were mixed. Pawan Kalyan fans debated that there was no law and order issue and the organizers must have taken prior permission from the authorities to hold the flash dance. And that there is nothing wrong in dancing as part of a film promotion. But many NRI social media took a cautious approach and urged fans to exercise restraint at theaters. “Firstly – This is wrong. One cant create nuisance in Public. Secondly – Why are these guys doing all this in the US when the situation is so delicate? Do they even think of the consequences?” one commented. “I am all for celebrating your culture and festivals but this is deranged. And getting vulgar by the day. Telugu brethren in America should give up the 3 Cs 1. Cinema Hero Worship 2. Caste Obsession (No, I’m not talking about Brahmins) 3. Corruption,” another wrote. Some social media users said Indians are earning a bad name because of the Telugus in the US. The Donald Trump administration announced a major move in the H-1B visa program overhaul where the visa fee has been hike to $100,00. While this change won’t affect the existing foreigners working in the US on an H-1B visa, it would force tech companies to rethink their next H-1B hiring as they will have to pay the fee. The move aims to arrest the inflow of foreign workers in the US and thereby save jobs for US graduates. But this has triggered hate comments on Indians and Indian H-1Bs on social media platforms with American politicians calling for scrapping the H-1B program altogether.
