AGARTALA, Oct 21: Self-proclaimed content creator Amir Shokeen has apologised after a video allegedly showing him making racial remarks against a youth from Tripura surfaced on social media, triggering criticism over the stereotyping of people from the Northeast.
In a subsequent Facebook post, Shokeen claimed the video was scripted and said the youth featured in it was known to him and had previously worked at a friend’s cafe in Ahmedabad. He described the exchange as a humorous interaction in which both men were joking and maintained that he had no intention of insulting anyone.
“I had no intention of saying anything bad about anyone. If anyone felt bad, I apologise from the bottom of my heart. I respect everyone,” Shokeen wrote.
He also sought forgiveness from the people of Tripura, insisting that he had not intended to offend them.
“My brothers from Tripura, I apologise to all of you with folded hands. Brotherhood is top priority. I am sorry,” he added.
The controversy followed the circulation of footage allegedly showing the youth being called “Chinese” and subjected to derogatory remarks. The video drew criticism on social media, with concerns raised over racial stereotyping and the use of ethnic insults in content presented as humour.
Tripura Motha MLA Paul Dangshu has urged the Delhi Police to take immediate legal action over the alleged incident. He stressed that racial abuse should not be dismissed as a joke or justified in the name of social media content creation.
The incident has renewed calls for accountability over racial discrimination against people from the Northeast, particularly when individuals are targeted because of their physical appearance, ethnicity or regional identity.
