Discrimination: Racial

Racial Discrimination (North-East Indians)

Introduction

India is known for its cultural diversity, but this diversity has not always translated into mutual respect and understanding. One of the most overlooked and painful forms of discrimination in the country is the racism faced by people from North-East India. Citizens from states like Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, and others often face racial slurs, social exclusion, and even violence — just because of their appearance, language, or lifestyle.

This kind of discrimination is not just limited to daily interactions, but extends into housing, employment, education, and law enforcement. Many North-East Indians are regularly called derogatory terms like “Chinky,” “Nepali,” or “Chinese,” even though they are as Indian as anyone else in the country.

What is Racial Discrimination?

Racial discrimination involves treating people unfairly or unequally based on their race or ethnicity. In the case of North-East Indians, this includes mocking their facial features, stereotyping their food habits, questioning their citizenship, and treating them as foreigners. While racism is often associated with Western countries, India is not immune to this deep-rooted problem.

Affected Groups

The discrimination is widespread across various North-East communities:

Nagas

Mizos

Manipuris

Khasis

Arunachalis

Tripuris

Garos

Bodos

All these communities have distinct cultural identities, yet many are collectively labelled as “Chinese,” “Nepali,” or worse, “outsiders” — especially in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune.

Common Forms of Discrimination Faced

1. Racial Slurs and Bullying

Many people from the North-East are regularly called racist names like “Chinky,” “Momo,” or “Corona” (especially during the COVID-19 pandemic). These terms are highly offensive and deeply hurtful. Such abuse is common in schools, colleges, workplaces, and even on the streets.

2. Housing Discrimination

Finding a place to live is often difficult for North-East Indians. Many landlords refuse to rent out homes to them, citing cultural or dietary differences. Others accuse them of being "party people" or "drug users" — harmful stereotypes that are both racist and baseless.

3. Job Discrimination

Many North-East Indians face job discrimination in urban areas. They are often rejected without any valid reason or are offered only certain types of jobs like call centers, salons, or hospitality roles, regardless of their qualifications.

4. Sexual Harassment

Women from the North-East are often fetishized and objectified due to their appearance. Many are wrongly assumed to be “available” or “easy.” This has led to increased incidents of sexual harassment and abuse in cities.

5. Police Apathy and Insensitivity

When North-East Indians face abuse or assault, they often encounter insensitive police responses. Cases are not registered seriously, and officers may mock or ignore the victims, further discouraging them from seeking justice.

Real-Life Incidents

Nido Tania Case (2014): A 19-year-old student from Arunachal Pradesh, Nido Tania, was beaten to death in Delhi after being mocked for his hairstyle. His murder triggered nationwide protests and a debate on racism in India.

COVID-19 Racism Spike (2020): During the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, people from the North-East were called “Corona,” “virus,” or “Wuhan” in public spaces. Some were even spat on or physically assaulted.

Daily Microaggressions: Many North-East residents are asked “Are you Chinese?” or “Do you eat dogs?” in casual conversations — a reflection of ignorance and cultural insensitivity.

Why Does It Happen?

Several factors contribute to this racism:

Ignorance: Many Indians are not taught enough about North-East India in school. As a result, people from these regions are not recognized as fellow Indians.

Media Representation: The North-East is often absent from mainstream media, films, and advertisements. When it is shown, it's usually in a stereotypical or exoticized way.

Physical Appearance: People from the North-East often have Mongoloid features, which makes them visually distinct from most other Indians. This difference leads to exclusion and name-calling.

Language and Food Habits: North-East Indians speak different languages and have diverse food habits, including fermented dishes or pork-based meals. These differences are wrongly judged as “weird” by many mainland Indians.

Legal and Governmental Response

1. The Bezbaruah Committee

After Nido Tania's death, the government formed the Bezbaruah Committee to address racial discrimination. It recommended fast-track courts, awareness campaigns, and better police sensitivity. However, implementation has been slow.

2. Indian Penal Code Amendment

In 2017, the Delhi High Court proposed amending the IPC to include racial discrimination as a punishable offence. However, no major national law has been passed so far to directly address racism against North-East Indians.

3. Helplines and Cells

Some state governments and universities have opened helplines or North-East cells to assist students and professionals, but many people are unaware of these services or find them ineffective.

Steps Toward Change

Education and Awareness

There is an urgent need to include detailed chapters on North-East Indian culture, history, and geography in school textbooks. Awareness campaigns in cities can also help reduce ignorance and build empathy.

Strict Laws and Enforcement

Racial abuse should be classified as a hate crime. Strong legal action must be taken against those who harass or assault people based on racial or ethnic differences.

Better Media Representation

North-East Indians need better representation in media, films, news, and politics. This will help break stereotypes and normalize diversity in the public eye.

Community Support Networks

Support groups and community organizations should be strengthened to help North-East citizens living in cities. Safe spaces, legal aid, and counselling services must be provided more widely.

Conclusion

Racial discrimination against North-East Indians is a harsh reality in modern India. While we take pride in our unity in diversity, we often fail to include people who look or live differently. North-East Indians are not “outsiders.” They are as Indian as anyone else — with rich cultures, languages, and identities that add to the fabric of the nation.

It is time to end this silence and stand against the racism they face every day. Change begins with awareness, empathy, and the courage to speak out.