A recent exchange on social media has reignited the debate over how Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) perceive India today. The discussion began when a user on X, criticised comedian and actor Vir Das for comments he made in a previously viral video, where he urged ‘second-generation’ NRIs to update their views about India.

In the now-viral video, Das said, “Any people raised by Indian parents abroad, come on second generation, I say this to you with respect, your parents’ version of India does not exist. It is archaic, it is gone,” he said.

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Financial Express Online reported this on June 27. A day after that, an X user posted a screenshot of the same news article and showed criticism towards Das’ ‘second generation’ remark. The user argued that the NRIs who often lecture Indians are usually first-generation migrants, not second-generation as Das had implied.

In the post, the user also defended the intent behind such discussions, writing: “We see better things here, and inform them of the potential India can achieve, in good faith.”

Additionally the user wrote, “P.S. Second generation Indian migrants care least about India, and they mind their lives in the country where they’re born and grew up.”

‘We know and fight for it,’ Vir Das responds

Responding directly to the critical social media post, Das offered a detailed rebuttal. “Madam, with respect. I will take any number of lectures about India’s potential from people who live with me here. It’s our job to call out the shortcomings of where we live, relative to where we live,” he said.

Adding to that he said,  “I don’t need someone in America to tell me we need cleaner air as if a billion people don’t already know that. The notion of ‘they just don’t know any better’, and need to be shown is an archaic entitled NRI notion and reflects an air of superiority. We know, and fight for it, BECAUSE we know.”

Social media reactions

Replying on the same tweet trail, a user commented saying, “Dear Vir, NRI stands for Non Resident Indian. They’re still Indians, just staying beyond borders. Just like a Bihari in Mumbai, or a Delhite in Bengaluru can still comment on Bihar and Delhi, so can NRIs talk about India with all love and knowledge. It’s the job of politicians to draw lines, divide and draw hate. Unless you plan to become one next, leave it to them.”

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Another user wrote, “Keep your entitled superiority complex with you far away as we are well aware what to fight for and struggle as we live here. We know. We bloody know. Stop your lecture.”

While the video itself is not new, the fresh wave of discussion highlights the ongoing tension between resident Indians and the diaspora over who gets to define the nation’s narrative.