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Violent assault in Dehradun leaves student dead
Anjel Chakma, a student from India's northeastern state of Tripura, died on 26 December after being stabbed during an altercation in the Himalayan city of Dehradun earlier in the month. His brother, Michael, survived a severe head injury from the same attack, which their father alleges was racially motivated.
What happened on 9 December
The Chakma brothers, who had traveled over 1,500 miles to Dehradun for their studies, were confronted by a group of men in a market. According to their father, Tarun Chakma, the attackers hurled racial slurs before assaulting the brothers when they protested. Anjel sustained stab wounds, while Michael was struck on the head with a metal object. Police in Uttarakhand state have arrested five individuals but deny the attack was racially driven-a claim the family vehemently disputes.
Protests erupt over systemic discrimination
The killing has reignited nationwide demonstrations, drawing attention to the persistent racism faced by migrants from India's northeastern states in major cities. Many report being mocked for their appearance, questioned about their nationality, and subjected to harassment in public spaces, workplaces, and housing markets. Landlords often refuse tenants based on stereotypes about their food habits or facial features, forcing many to cluster in specific neighborhoods for safety and cultural solidarity.
Pattern of violence and unaddressed grievances
Anjel Chakma's death is the latest in a series of high-profile attacks targeting northeastern Indians. In 2014, Nido Tania, a 20-year-old student from Arunachal Pradesh, was beaten to death in Delhi following racial taunts. Subsequent incidents-including assaults in Pune (2016) and Bengaluru (2017)-have failed to prompt systemic change. Rights groups argue that most cases go unreported or unnoticed unless they involve extreme violence.
"Unfortunately, the racism faced by people from the northeast is only highlighted when something extremely violent happens," said Suhas Chakma, director of the Delhi-based Rights and Risks Analysis Group.
Calls for anti-racism legislation grow louder
The incident has renewed demands for a standalone anti-racism law, with student and civil society groups issuing open letters to the government. In 2014, a federal committee acknowledged widespread discrimination against northeastern migrants and recommended legal reforms, including fast-track investigations and institutional safeguards. However, activists say little progress has been made, with no specific legislation enacted.
Alana Golmei, a member of a 2018 government monitoring committee, criticized the dismissal of such attacks as isolated incidents. "One has to first accept and acknowledge the issue to begin addressing it," she told the BBC. Advocates argue that laws criminalizing dowry and caste-based atrocities, while imperfect, have empowered victims and raised awareness-suggesting a similar approach could work for racial discrimination.
Everyday racism and its lasting impact
For many northeastern Indians, racial slurs and discrimination are routine. Ambika Phonglo, from Assam, described being targeted by colleagues at work, while Mary Wahlang, from Meghalaya, abandoned plans to work in larger cities after enduring repeated abuse during her studies in Karnataka. "Some people use slurs without understanding their impact, while others do so deliberately," Wahlang said.
Despite growing awareness, casual racism persists. "How do we look Indian enough? There are no clear answers," Golmei noted.
A family's dilemma and uncertain future
In Tripura, Tarun Chakma mourns his elder son while grappling with his younger son's future. Michael, a final-year sociology student, is expected to return to Dehradun to complete his studies. Though family members urge caution, Tarun Chakma struggles between fear for his son's safety and the belief that abandoning his education would compound their loss. "Higher education for a better future was why we sent our sons so far from home," he said.
