‘I won’t eat from your hands’: Chef hits back at skin-colour troll

When a racist comment targeted Chef Karthikeyan Selvaraj for his skin colour, he chose not to ignore it or respond in silence. Instead, he used the spotlight to bring attention to the abuser's bigotry and to set a precedent that such comments will not be tolerated. The chef, who has cooked for high-profile figures like presidents, prime ministers, and royalty, emphasized the importance of holding bullies accountable.

He shared his impressive career, which includes working for the Taj Group of Hotels and serving guests from various walks of life, to demonstrate that an individual's skin colour, height, weight, or appearance should never determine their potential or success. Psychotherapist Delnna Rrajesh agreed that while ignoring bullying is sometimes the best course of action, silence cannot be seen as dignity when discrimination is public.

Calling out such behaviour can establish a social boundary, making it clear that certain actions are unacceptable. However, she cautioned that making the response a platform for further abuse is counterproductive. Instead, the focus should be on accountability, setting consequences where appropriate, and allowing for the possibility of learning and personal growth.