Why an Indian trucker who left three dead in US crash has sparked controversies in two countries

An Indian truck driver accused of making an illegal U-turn that resulted in the deaths of three people in Florida on August 12 has sparked online racist attacks on Indian truckers and a clash between Republicans and Democrats in the United States over immigration policies.

Back in the subcontinent, some social-media users disowned the Sikh driver, claiming he was not Indian but “Khalistani”.

Harjinder Singh has been charged with vehicular homicide and immigration violations. When the 28-year-old asylum seeker from Punjab in India made the illegal turn on a highway in Florida, a minivan in the neighboring lane slammed into his truck. The driver of the van and two passengers died.

Singh was flagged as an illegal immigrant by an official White House social media account. “This individual is an illegal immigrant who was granted a commercial driver’s license by the State of California – and now, three innocent people are dead,” the tweet said.

This individual is an illegal immigrant who was granted a commercial driver’s license by the State of California — and now, three innocent people are dead.

He has been arrested for vehicular homicide and an ICE detainer has been issued. https://t.co/6NkliBDdSl— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 17, 2025

The White House tweet about Singh became immediate ammunition for...

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