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Choudry said she was especially hurt by how other adult passengers reacted — some ignored her, and one even replied, “so what?”
Sophia K Choudry, founder of the viral kitchen brand Rotibox, was on the Elizabeth line from Paddington to Maidenhead. (Photo bia Instagram)
A businesswoman of South Asian heritage says she was left “heartbroken” after being racially abused by a group of children while travelling on a London train earlier this month.
Sophia K Choudry, founder of the viral kitchen brand Rotibox, was on the Elizabeth line from Paddington to Maidenhead on September 7 when four children began repeatedly calling her a racist slur, commonly referred to as the “P-word”.
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Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Choudry said the incident left her shaken. She explained that after calling the police and activating the emergency alarm, the children still managed to leave the train at Hayes and Harlington station. No officers were present when the train stopped, and she continued her journey to Slough, where her husband picked her up.
Choudry said she was especially hurt by how other adult passengers reacted — some ignored her, and one even replied, “so what?” when she said she had been racially abused.
“I was shocked and angry about the children’s reaction but the adults’ reactions are what broke me and brought me to tears,” she said.
She filmed part of the incident, and the video has since gone viral on TikTok with over two million views. In the footage, the children can be seen trying to hide their faces after realising they were being recorded.
Choudry later received a letter from British Transport Police (BTP) saying the case had been closed due to a lack of evidence. However, it was reopened after she gave a full statement and shared the video. BTP said officers were dealing with another emergency at the time and were unable to meet her at the station.
Transport for London (TfL) has apologised and confirmed it is investigating why Choudry did not receive the support she needed. Both BTP and TfL stated they take a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime.
Choudry, who grew up in Sunderland, said the experience brought back painful memories of racism during her school years, when she was often the only brown child in the classroom.
Despite the experience, Choudry added that she wants to “focus on the 95% [of people] who are showing love and support” because “if I don’t focus on them I’ll never leave the house again”.
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
London, United Kingdom (UK)
September 29, 2025, 20:29 IST
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