Celebrity Chef Vikas Khanna slams BBC Racism: Goes Viral Again | Vantage with Palki Sharma

Introduction

The saying "the internet is forever" rings true in today's digital landscape. Once something is posted online, it can resurface at any time, often causing waves of discussion and debate. This phenomenon has recently occurred with celebrity chef Vikas Khanna, who is once again making headlines due to a viral interview from 2020.

During that time, the world was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns were enforced, economies crumbled, and many people found themselves in dire circumstances, facing hunger and uncertainty. In response to this crisis, Vikas Khanna took action by launching an initiative called Feed India, aimed at providing meals to those in need across India. His efforts garnered international attention, drawing interest from major media outlets, including the BBC.

In a notable interview, the BBC host commented on Khanna’s background, stating, "You've cooked for the Obamas; you've been on a TV show with Gordon Ramsay, but it was not always that way. You are not from a rich family, so I dare say you understand how precarious it can be in India." This comment came across as a perpetuation of stereotypes, suggesting that because Khanna hails from India, he must inherently relate to concepts of poverty and hunger.

Khanna, quick to counter this narrow perspective, replied, "I understand, but my sense of hunger didn't come from India so much because I was born and raised in Amritsar, where we have a huge community kitchen where everyone gets fed. The entire city can eat there. But my sense of hunger came from New York." This response not only defended his Indian heritage but pointed out the often-ignored issue of food insecurity in the United States, where millions of Americans — including over 13 million children — struggle to obtain sufficient meals.

The video of this exchange has resurfaced years later, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction among Indians towards Western media's persistent stereotypes and condescension. Many social media users shared various posts reflecting this sentiment. Examples include a controversial cartoon by the New York Times from 2014 that mocked India's Mars mission, and another by a German publication, Der Spiegel, that depicted India derogatorily upon the announcement that India had overtaken China to become the world's most populous country.

Vikas Khanna’s powerful rebuttal has reignited conversations about Western arrogance and the need to confront these stereotypes. The ongoing engagement with his remarks indicates that public sentiment is ready to challenge these outdated narratives, lending his response enduring relevance.

Keyword

• Vikas Khanna
• BBC
• racism
• Feed India
• COVID-19
• food insecurity
• stereotypes
• community kitchen
• Amritsar
• New York

FAQ

Q1: What did Vikas Khanna do during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A1: He initiated a program called "Feed India" to help provide meals to those in need across India during the pandemic.

Q2: Why did Vikas Khanna’s interview with the BBC go viral?
A2: His response to a condescending question regarding his background and understanding of hunger highlighted stereotypes and resonated with many viewers, leading to renewed discussions on social media.

Q3: What did the BBC host imply about Vikas Khanna’s experience?
A3: The host suggested that because Khanna grew up in India and not from a wealthy background, he inherently understood poverty and hunger.

Q4: How did Vikas Khanna respond to the host's remarks?
A4: He pointed out that his understanding of hunger came more from his experiences in New York than from his upbringing in India, emphasizing the overlooked issue of food insecurity in the U.S.

Q5: Why is Vikas Khanna’s response being celebrated now, years after the interview?
A5: His comments are seen as a sharp critique of Western media stereotypes and have gained fresh attention, reflecting a growing discontent with condescension towards India and Indians in general.