“American mentality must end”: Indian techie’s tragic cry before fatal US police shooting

The death of 33-year-old Mohammed Nizamuddin, a Telangana techie and student in the United States, has raised concerns within the Indian diaspora after he accused employers of discrimination and mistreatment just before being shot dead by police in Fremont, California.

The incident

On September 14, police in Fremont received an emergency call about a stabbing at an apartment complex. Officers found Nizamuddin’s roommate critically injured with multiple stab wounds.

According to police, Nizamuddin was armed with a knife when they arrived. Despite repeated warnings to drop the weapon, bodycam footage reportedly shows him moving toward the officers, prompting them to open fire. He was treated at the scene but later pronounced dead. His roommate survived and is being treated in hospital.

Allegations of mistreatment

Hours earlier, Nizamuddin had recorded a video in which he said he was “wrongfully terminated” from his tech job, unfairly paid, and later forced to vacate his housing. He blamed what he described as the “American mentality” for his situation, claiming he had been denied fair treatment despite working hard.

Broader Context

While the investigation into the Fremont incident is ongoing, Nizamuddin’s allegations mirror wider concerns voiced by Indian workers and students in the US in recent years.

• Workplace issues: H-1B visa workers from India have frequently reported being underpaid or suddenly terminated without severance, leaving them with limited options.

• Racially motivated attacks: In 2017, Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed in Kansas by a gunman who shouted xenophobic slurs, a case that highlighted racial hostility.

• Student safety: This year, several Indian students reported harassment and housing discrimination, while an Indian graduate student in Chicago was assaulted last month in what police are investigating as a hate crime.

• Police encounters: Civil rights groups in the US have noted that immigrants and minorities sometimes face disproportionate use of force in police interactions.

Family and community response

Nizamuddin’s family in Hyderabad has demanded a full inquiry and repatriation of his body. Indian community groups in the US have also expressed concern over the circumstances of the shooting, urging authorities to ensure transparency.

The Fremont Police Department has said the case is under review and that bodycam footage will be examined as part of the investigation.