A United States-based webcomic, which is infamous for making politically incorrect cartoons, has been slammed by netizens for posting a “racist” clip on the all-Indian crew of the Dali cargo vessel that collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26.
The cartoon shows the Indian crew members in brownface standing inside the ship’s control room in dirty water. They are seen wearing dhotis and look aghast as the ship is about to collide with the bridge.
Foxford Comics shared the cartoon on X with the comment: “Last known recording from inside the Dali moments before impact.”
The cartoon, published on March 27, has incited wrath in India, including from noted economist Sanjeev Sanyal, reported Indian news agency Wion.
Many of the more than three million people who viewed it on X called it “racist”. Several of them pointed out that the ship was steered by a local American, according to the country’s laws.
Mr Sanyal, a member of the Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said: “At the time that the ship hit the bridge, it would have had a local pilot.
“In any case, the crew had warned the authorities, which is why the casualties were relatively few (for such a disaster). But, hey, why give up a chance to do racist cartoons.”
Another user commented: “Why aren’t you guys doing something about this? I mean, racism against Indians has skyrocketed recently.”
A third commented: “The ship was piloted by an American from Baltimore. What a completely ridiculous comic.”
There were other social media users in the US who also hurled abuses at Indians, blaming them for the collapse of the bridge, reported Business Today.
Far-right American political activist Lauren Witzke remarked on X: “A bunch of Pajeets pulverising an American bridge named after the man who wrote America’s national anthem really is almost prophetic.”
Pajeet is a racist slur in the West to mock Sikhs who often have names ending with “jeet”.
The Singapore-flagged container ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore causing multiple vehicles to fall into the Patapsco River. The 22-member crew, all of whom were Indian, were confirmed safe by vessel management company Synergy Marine Group.
The ship was on its way to Colombo, Sri Lanka, from Baltimore. The collision occurred at 1.30am local time.
According to videos on X, the ship hit the bridge, causing a fire before sinking.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore lauded the Indian crew as “heroes” for their quick warning before the collision, which reportedly saved many lives.
He said: “These people are heroes, they saved lives last night.”
Addressing the incident, United States President Joe Biden praised the local authorities for acting promptly seconds before the bridge collapsed and also hailed the Indian crew of the ship who sent the SOS.
“Personnel on board the ship were able to alert the Maryland Department of Transportation that they had lost control of their vessel,” said Mr Biden.
“As a result, local authorities were able to close the bridge to traffic before the bridge was struck, which undoubtedly saved lives.”
As of March 28, six people from a construction crew working on the bridge are missing, with two people rescued. A search operation is underway.
