A Donald Trump supporter called a  Sikh-American councilman a "terrorist"on Twitter, but the Indian-origin leader hit back and said "you clearly don't know what it means to be an American".

A city council member at large and council president of Hoboken, New Jersey Ravinder Bhalla was called terrorist by Robert Dubenezic, an open supporter of Republican presidential nominee.  

Dubenezic tweeted that, "How the hell did Hoboken allow the guys to be councilman? Shouldn't even be allowed in the US #terrorist."

Bhalla, was quick to answer, exclaiming,"Sir, I am born and raised in America. You clearly don't know what it means to be an American...#ignorant."

NBC News reported that, "With a lot of the rhetoric we're hearing from people like Donald Trump about Muslim Americans and people who are perceived to be from a Muslim background, I think the spread of Islamophobia from our national leaders sends the wrong message," Bhalla said.

"I hope this episode shows people that words can be hurtful and that discriminating based on how someone looks shouldn't just be ignored. People should be educated on different faiths and backgrounds so that diversity is celebrated," he said.

"America is, after all, a nation of immigrants. And if we work together instead of against each other, we'll accomplish so much more," he added.

"At the end of the day, I don't hold any malice toward this person. I forgive him for what he said and hope he will educate himself about how his comments can be hurtful and divisive," Bhalla said.

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Nandini