Itanagar, March 11: Members of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly on March 10 unanimously condemned incidents of racial discrimination against people from the Northeast in other parts of the country and urged the Centre to enact a stringent anti-racism law.
The issue was raised by Thangwang Wangham of the Nationalist People’s Party through a short duration discussion in the House, during which he expressed concern over recurring instances of racial abuse faced by people from the region.
Referring to a recent case, Wangham cited a February 20 incident in Malviya Nagar, where three women from Arunachal Pradesh were allegedly subjected to racial slurs and verbal abuse by a couple following a dispute related to air-conditioner repair work in their rented apartment in New Delhi. He said the argument escalated and the women were targeted with derogatory remarks about people from the Northeast, while a video of the confrontation later went viral on social media and prompted police action.
Wangham also recalled the 2014 case of Nido Tania, who was beaten to death in Lajpat Nagar after an altercation during which his appearance and ethnic identity were allegedly mocked. The 20-year-old’s death had triggered nationwide outrage and protests over racial discrimination against people from the Northeast.
Describing such incidents as humiliating and unacceptable, Wangham said people in other parts of the country often have limited awareness about the Northeast and its contributions to the nation. He added that many unsung heroes from the region have sacrificed their lives for the country and that residents of Arunachal Pradesh continue to guard India’s frontiers.
The legislator urged the government to take stronger measures and appealed to the Centre to enact a comprehensive anti-racism law to protect people from the Northeast. He also called on Members of Parliament from the region to raise the issue forcefully at the national level.
Several other lawmakers who took part in the discussion also condemned the incident and demanded strict action against those responsible. They suggested incorporating the history and culture of the Northeast in school curricula, including textbooks prepared by the National Council of Educational Research and Training and state education boards, to promote wider awareness about the region.
Responding on behalf of the government, Education and Tourism Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona said the Malviya Nagar incident was not isolated and that many similar cases had occurred in the past but often went unreported. He said the root of the problem lies in the mindset of people in other parts of the country and emphasised the need for greater awareness about the Northeast.
Sona supported the demand for a strong anti-racism law and suggested that the Assembly send a resolution to the Centre seeking legislation to curb racial discrimination.
Later, Speaker Tesam Pongte assured the House that a strong message condemning such incidents would be conveyed to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
