Hate crime: Indian chef called ISIS, punched on face in US

A 30-year-old Indian chef was repeatedly punched in the face and called "ISIS" by an unidentified man in an alleged hate crime incident in the US city of Omaha.

Suthahar Subburaj, who works as a chef at an Indian restaurant in Omaha, was attacked last month while he was taking out the trash for work.

A man wearing a black hoodie punched Subburaj multiple times in his forehead, face, mouth and kicked him in the leg, according to a report in 'The Omaha World-Herald' quoting police officials.

Using abusive language, the man shouted at Subburaj, saying, "ISIS, get out of my country" and fled the scene, the report said.

An advocacy organisation for Hindu Americans have voiced concern over growing "xenophobia" towards people of South Asian and Middle Eastern descent.

Leaders of the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) have condemned the attack, calling it a hate crime. "Subburaj is a victim of the growing xenophobia towards people across the country of South Asian and Middle Eastern descent, citizens and recent immigrants alike," said Jay Kansara, HAF Director of Government Relations.

Local police are investigating the incident as a hate crime based on religion, HAF said, adding it is monitoring the case.

Subburaj has been living alone in Omaha for about two years. He hopes his attacker is punished but is also taught about different religions and races.

The Anti-Defamation League condemned the possible hate crime in a press release.

• Hate crime
• xenophobic attack
• Indian chef
• #ISIS
• Hindu American