{"id":311529,"date":"2026-03-31T11:12:53","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T05:42:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.altnews.in\/english-clone-2026\/?p=311529"},"modified":"2026-05-07T10:41:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T05:11:36","slug":"red-carpet-for-laura-loomer-deportation-for-critics-a-tale-of-two-indias","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.altnews.in\/english-clone-2026\/red-carpet-for-laura-loomer-deportation-for-critics-a-tale-of-two-indias\/","title":{"rendered":"Red carpet for Laura Loomer, deportation for critics: A tale of two Indias"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier this month, India witnessed a striking contrast in how it treats those who enter its borders. While several academics, writers and critics of the government have, in recent years, been denied entry or deported despite holding valid visas, a controversial and openly Islamophobic figure \u2014 American commentator Laura Loomer <\/span><\/span>\u2014was not only allowed into the country but given a prominent platform at a flagship media event.<\/p>\n

Her appearance at the India Today Conclave 2026<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/a>, held on March 13\u201314, has continued to draw scrutiny, not just for what was said on stage, but for what it reveals about the broader ecosystem: who is welcomed, who is heard, and who is turned away.<\/p>\n

From Backlash to Platform: Loomer at India Today Conclave<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Despite widespread backlash over her past remarks on Indians and Muslims, Loomer was invited to speak at the conclave and was given considerable space to present her views.<\/p>\n

During a session on March 14, she was questioned by senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai<\/span><\/span>, who directly confronted her record.\u00a0\u201cYou should do more than just express regret\u2026 you are brazenly racist and Islamophobic,\u201d Sardesai said, adding that her remarks reflected \u201canti-Indianism\u201d and had no place in today\u2019s world.<\/p>\n

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“Your remarks are brazenly racist and Islamaphopic”: India Today’s @sardesairajdeep<\/a> hits out at Trump Loyalist @LauraLoomer<\/a> over her comments on Kamala Harris, Indians & immigrants.#IndiaTodayConclave26<\/a> #LauraLoomer<\/a> #KamalaHarris<\/a> #US<\/a> #India<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/OLps7Gkqpo<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) March 14, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Loomer, however, chose to bypass the \u201canti-Indian\u201d charge and instead zeroed in on the label of Islamophobia. \u201cI believe Islamophobia is a hoax,\u201d she said, framing her views as a \u201csurvival instinct\u201d against what she described as a hostile culture.<\/p>\n

She went further, claiming that she had come to India to warn people about an \u201cimminent Islamic takeover,\u201d adding, \u201cIt is perfectly normal to be fearful of Islam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even as Sardesai attempted to pin her down on specific past statements, Loomer largely managed to steer the conversation toward her preferred terrain\u2014Islam and security\u2014rather than her documented remarks about India and Indians.<\/p>\n

The tone of the session remained notably accommodating. At the end, the anchors remarked that Indians are \u201cforgiving\u201d and would embrace her. Loomer responded, \u201cIf I had hated Indians, I would not have come to India.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a subsequent address, she reiterated her positions, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian public, and claimed she was in India as an envoy of US President Donald Trump<\/span><\/span>. She also repeatedly attacked Pakistan and framed her visit within a broader geopolitical alignment.<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s been such a pleasure being in India this week. India is a beautiful country and I am thoroughly enjoying my time here in a country with such kind and generous people who have an incredibly rich culture and history.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the full text and video recording of the speech I\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/AdA71Io2CY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) March 15, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A Record of Hate: Loomer\u2019s Past Statements<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Loomer\u2019s presence on such a platform becomes more striking when viewed alongside her own public record.<\/p>\n

In December 2024, she posted a series of openly derogatory remarks about India and Indians:<\/p>\n