Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Tesla and SpaceX, has once again landed in the middle of a controversy. This time, it isn’t about technology or business but a highly sensitive historical subject. On Thursday, Musk liked and amplified a post on X (formerly Twitter) that claimed the British never actually ruled India — a statement that instantly triggered backlash across social media.
What Did the Viral Post Say?
The original post read:
“If Indians set foot in England and become English, then the English who set foot in India became Indian. Therefore, the English did not rule India. There is no such thing as ‘colonization.’”
Musk not only “liked” the post but also shared it with a “🤔” emoji, sparking a heated debate. Within hours, the post had amassed millions of views and thousands of angry responses, particularly from Indian users who accused Musk of endorsing historical revisionism.
Indians Respond With Strong Rebuttals:
Social media users wasted no time in pointing out the flaws in the claim. Many highlighted the violence, exploitation, and systematic destruction that defined British colonial rule in India.
One user wrote:
“Indians aren’t looting England’s resources. Indians aren’t triggering famines like Bengal 1943 or massacres like Jallianwala Bagh 1919. Indians aren’t imposing salt taxes or destroying industries like the textile trade.”
Others argued that equating colonial invasion with voluntary immigration was not only misleading but also dangerous. A user bluntly posted:
“Living in another country doesn’t erase colonial domination. The British exercised political, military, and economic control over millions. That’s colonization, plain and simple.”
Some even went further, demanding reparations:
“Bring back the treasure you stole, compensation for the lives lost in famines, and the manuscripts and art you looted. Then we’ll talk.”
Not Musk’s First Brush With Historical Revisionism:
This isn’t the first time Elon Musk has been criticized for his remarks on history. In 2024, he controversially suggested that the British Empire “ended global slavery,” which drew widespread backlash from historians and civil rights activists for whitewashing colonial atrocities.
Why This Matters?
For many Indians, the British Raj isn’t just history but a lived legacy passed down through generations — marked by famines, mass displacement, economic drain, and cultural exploitation. Musk’s apparent endorsement of a post dismissing colonization was seen as deeply offensive, especially given his global influence.
Final Thoughts:
While Elon Musk has often been known for his quirky humor and unfiltered social media activity, this latest incident highlights the dangers of oversimplifying or distorting historical truths. The outrage in India shows that colonial memory remains a sensitive and painful topic, and any attempt to downplay it is bound to spark strong reactions.
Q1. What post did Elon Musk like about British rule in India?
Musk liked and shared a post claiming the British never actually ruled India, suggesting colonization never existed.
Q2. Why did Indians react strongly to Elon Musk’s action?
Indians criticized Musk for supporting historical revisionism, pointing out atrocities such as famines, massacres, resource looting, and economic destruction under British rule.
Q3. Has Elon Musk made controversial historical statements before?
Yes. In 2024, Musk claimed that the British Empire “ended global slavery,” which sparked widespread criticism for whitewashing colonial exploitation.
Q4. Did the British really rule India?
Yes. The British Raj (1858–1947) was a period of direct British rule, marked by political control, economic exploitation, and cultural oppression.
Q5. Why is this debate significant today?
Because colonialism shaped India’s modern history, identity, and economy. Attempts to dismiss or distort it can harm public understanding and fuel misinformation.
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