From Dallas to SB 509: Confronting Threats to Indian-Americans

I still can’t shake the image from September 10, 2025: Chandra Mouli “Bob” Nagamallaiah, a 50-year-old Indian-American motel manager in Dallas, was chased down and beheaded by a man enraged over what seems like a trivial workplace argument. The brutality is almost impossible to comprehend. A human life ended in one of the most gruesome ways imaginable, right here in the United States.

For those of us in the Indian-American community, this isn’t just a story of crime. It’s a terrifying reminder that violence can enter our neighborhoods, our workplaces, and even our sanctuaries. Beheadings are not something we expect to witness in America. Yet, here it was, and it forces a hard question: how have we come to accept that violence can erupt so easily, so personally, in our daily lives?

And Dallas isn’t the only story. Across the country, our temples, businesses, and cultural centers have been violated: graffiti scrawled on sacred walls, sanctums defaced, break-ins at businesses, and even violent threats against devotees. Each act leaves a mark; not just physical damage, but a deep psychological wound. These incidents remind us that we live with a fear that shouldn’t exist in a society that prides itself on safety and freedom.

Now, California’s SB 509 enters the conversation. The bill intends to protect diaspora communities from “transnational repression”, harassment, intimidation, or worse, carried out by foreign governments. In principle, it sounds necessary. Some of our communities have faced genuine threats from abroad. Law enforcement training to spot these dangers could save lives.

But here’s the problem: SB 509 is vague. Terms like “foreign proxies” are undefined. Without clarity, ordinary Indian-Americans, people organizing cultural events, attending temples, or engaging in advocacy, could be cast as suspicious, unfairly targeted by the very system meant to protect them. What should feel like protection risks becoming surveillance. What should feel like safety could feel like scrutiny.

So, what do we do? First, we demand that SB 509 be implemented carefully, with precise definitions, oversight, and protections for free expression. We insist that law enforcement thoroughly investigate incidents like the Dallas killing, communicating clearly so communities understand the motive, hate, workplace conflict, or otherwise, and can respond appropriately. We strengthen community safety measures, protect temples and businesses, and build alliances across communities to ensure no group is singled out.

The Dallas beheading, temple attacks, and SB 509 debates converge to show us a stark choice: we can allow fear and violence to define our communities, or we can act with courage, with justice, and with fairness, to create safety and belonging. The time to choose is now. Silence, in the face of brutality or policy that could harm our community, is not an option.