From casual stereotypes to fatal violence, people from India’s North-Eastern states continue to face deep-rooted prejudice while living and working outside their home region, exposing uncomfortable truths about inclusion in the country’s urban spaces.
Riba, a young professional from the Northeast working at a high-profile firm, recalls being repeatedly asked intrusive questions such as, “You people eat dogs, cats and all animals, right?” She says the comments came not just from strangers, but also from friends and colleagues. “What hurt the most was that people didn’t even think there was anything wrong with asking such things,” she said, adding that the constant questioning of her food habits, appearance and identity took an emotional toll.
From casual slurs to deadly violence
Civil rights activists warn that such everyday prejudice often escalates into serious violence. A recent case from Dehradun brought this reality into sharp focus. On December 9, 24-year-old Anjel Chakma from Tripura died after being allegedly attacked during a routine grocery visit in the Selaqui area.
According to family members, Anjel and his younger brother Michael were subjected to racial slurs like “Chinki” and “Chinese”. When Anjel protested and asserted his Indian identity, the situation allegedly turned violent. Police said he suffered fatal injuries to his neck and spine after being attacked with a knife and a metal object. The case drew national attention and renewed debate on racism against people from the Northeast.
‘I am an Indian’
Similar incidents continue to surface across metros. Arjun Rimo from Arunachal Pradesh recounted an incident in Karol Bagh, New Delhi, where he was abused and called “Chinese” while buying meat. When he objected and identified himself as Indian, he was allegedly assaulted by multiple people. “This is not an isolated incident. It reflects a long-standing challenge faced by citizens from the Northeast,” he said.
Bias in everyday spaces
For Sushma Pegu, a professional based in Bengaluru, discrimination extended into corporate offices and daily commutes. She recalls colleagues questioning whether people in the Northeast even have basic food items and repeating stereotypes about eating dogs and cats. Cab drivers, she said, routinely ask her which country she is from.
Activists stress that true inclusion requires more than rhetoric. As long as casual racism is normalised, they warn, India’s “cosmopolitan” cities will remain spaces where many citizens are forced to constantly prove that they belong.