India’s Racism Crisis: Why the North East is Still “Other”

A SHOCKING video from Patna railway station recently went viral, showing a group of young women from Arunachal Pradesh being harassed by a local traveler. The women, who were part of a professional troupe, were mocked with slurs like “chinki” and “momo” and even asked to prove their identity just to use a restroom. Sadly, this is not a one-off event. Just weeks ago in Malviya Nagar, Delhi, three more women from the North East were verbally abused and told to “go back to your state” following a minor argument over an air conditioner. These incidents from Patna to Delhi show that despite being fellow citizens, people from the North East are still being treated like foreigners in their own country.

The data suggests that this is a deep-rooted social disease rather than a series of accidents. For years, the northeast community has faced extreme violence, such as the tragic 2014 death of student Nido Tania in Delhi, who was beaten after protesting a racial slur. Even in 2026, reports of discrimination in housing, workplaces, and public spaces remain high. Many North Easterners living in mainland cities report that they are frequently called Nepali or Chinese because of their physical features. This “othering” creates a sense of fear and alienation, making them feel like outsiders within the very borders they call home.

To fix this, the Indian government must move beyond mere words. While laws like the IPC (BNS) have been used to file cases, they are clearly not enough of a deterrent. The government needs to fully implement the Bezbaruah Committee recommendations, which include making racial slurs a specific, non-bailable offense and setting up fast-track courts for hate crimes. Our school textbooks must be updated to include the rich history and culture of the Seven Sister states. It is a failure of our education system that a citizen in Bihar or Delhi does not recognize a person from Arunachal or Mizoram as their own.

India cannot claim to be a rising global power while its own people are scared to travel within its borders. We need a balance of strict legal action and a massive shift in our social mindset. While the police must act faster, the real change starts in our homes and classrooms, where we must learn that being Indian does not come in just one look or language. We must stop looking at the North East as a strategic border and start seeing the people who live there as equal brothers and sisters. Only then can we truly call ourselves a united nation.

~ Zogam Today | Editorial | 26.05.2026

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