Saturday, March 29, 2025
Indian Engineer Shot Dead by US Police After Alleging Racial Harassment Weeks Earlier
A 30-year-old software engineer from Telangana, Mohammad Nizamuddin, was shot dead by police in Santa Clara, California, on September 3 following a reported altercation with his roommate. His death has sparked outrage, particularly as it emerged that just two weeks earlier, he had publicly alleged serious racial harassment, wage fraud, and wrongful termination.
According to Santa Clara Police, officers responded to a 911 call about a knife attack inside a residence. They claim that Nizamuddin, armed with a knife, refused to comply with commands and allegedly assaulted his roommate, causing multiple stab wounds. Police said they opened fire when he ignored warnings.
However, Nizamuddin’s family in India disputes parts of the police account, insisting that he himself had called for help before the shooting. His body is currently being kept at a Santa Clara hospital pending formalities.
On LinkedIn, just two weeks before his death, Nizamuddin had written a strongly worded post denouncing racial discrimination and workplace exploitation in the US. He accused individuals of poisoning his food, subjecting him to eviction, constant surveillance, and threats. His post included the statement: “Enough is enough, white supremacy/racist white American mindset must end.”
The post has since been widely circulated on social media and among community groups following his death.
Back in Mahbubnagar, Telangana, Nizamuddin’s family and friends described him as a quiet and religious young man. They are devastated and have appealed to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for help in bringing his body home.
Amjad Ullah Khan, spokesperson for the Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT), met Nizamuddin’s father, Mohammad Hasanuddin, and relatives. He wrote to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging the Indian embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Consulate General in San Francisco to provide a detailed report, assist with the repatriation of the body, and ensure all formalities are completed.
The family has demanded a thorough investigation by both Indian and US authorities into the circumstances of his death. They also want a probe into the racial discrimination and harassment claims he made publicly before the incident.
Nizamuddin had studied computer science in Florida and later worked with several technology firms in the US. His sudden and controversial death has reignited concerns among the Indian diaspora about safety, workplace exploitation, and racial bias in America.
