Taiwan Candidate’s Anti-India Billboard Sparks Row

The controversy began after images of the billboard circulated online ahead of Taiwan’s local elections scheduled later this year. The poster featured an inverted Indian flag and an image of a turbaned man under prohibition symbols, signalling opposition to Taiwan’s policy of hiring migrant workers from India.

Lee, a ward chief from Kaohsiung’s Siaogang District contesting the city council polls as an independent candidate, defended the campaign in remarks to Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA). He said he was not against migrant labour in general, but specifically opposed Taiwan’s move to admit more workers from India.

According to local media reports, Lee argued that Taiwan lacked sufficient management systems and support mechanisms to handle the proposed expansion of Indian migrant labour. He said the billboard was intended to express his political opposition to the policy.

The campaign quickly drew backlash from Indian-origin residents in Taiwan and social media users, many of whom described the imagery as offensive and discriminatory. Critics pointed out that the use of cultural and religious symbols associated with Indians and Sikhs, including a turban, crossed the line from political messaging into racial targeting.

The issue gained wider international attention after Malaysian commentator Miles Cheong shared footage from a Taiwanese news channel discussing the controversy. The clip included comments from Indian-born residents who said the billboard made them feel uneasy and unwelcome.