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Kanglu (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), also spelled Kangla or Kangu, is an ethnic and xenophobic slur used primarily in parts of India against Bangladeshis, particularly Bengali Muslims. The term is derived from the Hindi word kangal (कंगाल), meaning “destitute”, “pauper”, or “beggar”.
The word is commonly encountered in online hate speech, nationalist trolling, and anti-immigration rhetoric.[4] It is frequently used to portray Bangladeshis as impoverished, uncivilized, or illegal migrants, especially during discussions surrounding immigration and border politics in eastern India.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The term originates from the Hindi and Hindustani word kangal (कंगाल), meaning “poor”, “destitute”, or “bankrupt”. Linguistically, the term appears to combine kangal with “Bangla” or “Bangladesh”, producing a mocking ethnic label directed at Bangladeshis.[5] The alternative form Kangla is used an offensive ethnic slur for a Bangladeshi person. Related derivatives include Kangladesh and Kangladeshi.
Usage[edit | edit source]
The slur is used predominantly in online spaces, including social media platforms, imageboards, meme communities, and political discussions. It is particularly associated with anti-Bangladeshi sentiment in regions bordering Bangladesh, such as West Bengal and Assam.
The term has appeared during debates surrounding the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), where undocumented Bangladeshi migrants are often portrayed as economic or demographic threats.[4] Researchers examining Bengali hate speech and online misinformation have identified such expressions as examples of ethnic hostility and dehumanizing rhetoric.[4][6]
The word has also been observed in online cricket rivalries and nationalist trolling culture.[5] Some commentators have compared its usage to other ethnic slurs common in South Asian internet spaces.
Social context[edit | edit source]
Critics and anti-hate researchers argue that the term reinforces stereotypes linking Bengali Muslims and Bangladeshis with poverty, dirtiness, criminality, and illegal migration.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Agence France-Presse (2019-10-25). "Orange Is the New Gray for Bangladesh Beards". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved 2026-05-08.
- ↑ "Why orange hair is everywhere in Bangladesh". The Daily Observer. Retrieved 2026-05-08.
- ↑ "'I look a lot younger and handsome': Orange is the new grey for Bangladesh beards". The Straits Times. 2019-10-25. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2026-05-08.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Al Jaman, Sayeed. "Misinformation on Social Media: An Exploratory Sequential Mixed Methods Analysis of Users' Engagement with Religious Misinformation" (PDF). University of Alberta. Retrieved 2026-05-08.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Kanglu". Urban Dictionary. Retrieved 2026-05-08.
- ↑ Das, Amit Kumar; Asif, Abdullah Al; Paul, Anik; Hossain, Md. Nur (2022-03-31). "Bangla Hate Speech Detection on Social Media Using Attention-Based Recurrent Neural Network". arXiv. Retrieved 2026-05-08.