Racism Faced By Northeasterns in India

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“In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist. We must be ANTI-RACIST.” 

- Angela Davis. 

What is Racism?

  • Racism is the belief that groups of humans possess different behavioural traits corresponding to inherited attributes and can be divided based on the superiority of one race over another. (source: Wikipedia) 
  • Racism leads to discrimination based on ‘race’. Discrimination itself is an ill-practice that leads to feelings of hatred amongst individuals, and the sense of superiority that one race has over another can also lead to several problems, including violence. 
  • People get bullied because of their race colour, something which they are born with and have no control upon. This behaviour has several negative effects on one’s mental and emotional health causing issues like inferiority complex, social anxiety, lack of confidence amongst people, depression, etc.

Why do Northeasterns in India face racism?
  • Northeast India is one such diverse and unique region with the presence of various languages, cultures, dialects, tribes, and so on. It comprises the ‘Seven Sisters’, i.e, Assam, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur. 
  • People of Northeast do have some distinct physical features that make them uniquely different from the people of mainland India. They have characteristics such as, small eyes, fairer skin tone, long coarse hair, etc.
  • The people of Northeastern India are also Descendants of the Mongoloid people. Which is why, people of Northeastern India have similar features with people from South-east Asian countries such as Thailand, Japan, China, etc. 
  • Because of their distinct features, these people are always criticised and neglected by people from mainland India. Northeasterns are often called “outsiders” for the same.
  • Stereotypical names such as “chinki”, “momo”, “Chinese”, etc. are used as slang for discrimination against these people, making them feel ignored, neglected, and suppressed just because they look different and have a different lifestyle than the mainlanders.
In an article published in The Hindu, dated April 12, 2021, we can see how Northeasterns were harassed, bullied, and tortured during the Covid-19 outbreak in India.

The findings of the article underline the everyday experience of northeasterners living in Delhi. The worst forms of discrimination amid the COVID‐19 pandemic resulting in stigmatisation and bullying, insecurity and helplessness, and mental and emotional strains are evident in the people's experiences.

Northeasterns in Delhi were harrassed saying that they are the one who have brought the virus to India and they must be sent back or thrown out of the country for doing so. When explained by people that they do not belong to China and are very much a part of India, others ridiculed and bullied them by saying, “All of you (the northeastern people) are the same. You don’t belong to India. Go back to China and take the virus with you.”

This is just one instance highlighted through this article. This highlights the mentality and cruelty of people, the stereotypical perspective of people about Northeast India not being a part of the mainland, and the struggles Northeasterns have to go through just because they belong to a Mongoloid race. 

This is indeed extremely discriminatory and unjust. During Covid-19 outbreak, when people were already suffering from other problems, the Northeasterns had to face these extra issues in order to survive during a pandemic. 

 How can we stop such discriminatory practices? What can we do about it?

  • Article 15 of the Indian Constitution is a Fundamental right given to citizens that states, “The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, ‘race’, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them.” Hence, one can seek help from the judiciary and also file a police complaint if they face any sorts of discrimination on the basis of race.
  • The law also gives the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Section 153 A) - Criminalises the use of language that promotes discrimination or violence against people on the basis of race, caste, sex, place of birth, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other category.
  • Report such cases immediately and seek action from authorities, if you see your fellow friends face discrimination
  • Spread awareness amongst people about these issues, highlighting the struggles of the Northeasterns, in order to break all stereotypical norms and notions that have been formed against these people
  • Conduct and attend more seminars and events that talk about racial discrimination and rights of the people and educate people about how discrimination can have a negative effect on one’s mind and health.

Lastly, spread love and instil feelings of unity and brotherhood amongst everyone for these people as India might be divided into different regions and cultures, but what brings us together is that one feeling of being an “Indian” and at the end, that’s all that matters. We must keep up the motto of Unity in Diversity and stop any discriminatory practices against our fellow Northeastern friends!




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