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Microwave incident leads to discrimination lawsuit
Two Indian doctoral students have secured a $200,000 settlement from the University of Colorado, Boulder, following a dispute that began with an argument over heating food in a campus microwave. Aditya Prakash and Urmi Bhattacheryya alleged the incident triggered a series of microaggressions and retaliatory actions by university staff.
Allegations of food-based discrimination
The conflict erupted in September 2023 when Prakash, a PhD candidate in anthropology, was heating palak paneer-a popular North Indian dish of spinach and cheese-in a shared microwave. A British staff member reportedly objected to the odor, calling it "pungent" and citing an unwritten rule against strongly scented foods. Prakash later discovered that while curries were restricted, sandwiches were permitted.
The couple claimed the confrontation escalated into systemic retaliation, including the loss of research funding, teaching positions, and their PhD advisers. In May 2025, they filed a civil rights lawsuit alleging discrimination based on national origin and a "pattern of escalating retaliation."
University settles but denies wrongdoing
The university reached a settlement with the students in September 2025, agreeing to award their degrees while barring them from future enrollment or employment. In a statement to the BBC, the institution denied liability but acknowledged addressing the allegations through "established processes."
"We reached an agreement with the students and deny any liability in this case."
University of Colorado, Boulder
The anthropology department stated it had taken steps to rebuild trust, including meetings with students and faculty to foster inclusivity. The university also noted that individuals violating anti-discrimination policies would be held accountable.
Broader debate on "food racism"
The case has sparked discussions in India about discrimination against ethnic foods in Western countries. Social media users shared personal stories of being mocked for their cuisine, while others highlighted similar biases within India, where non-vegetarian food is often banned in schools due to perceptions of impurity.
Prakash, who grew up in Italy, recounted being forced to eat lunch separately from classmates because his food's smell was deemed "off-putting." He argued that such incidents reflect a history of using food to marginalize communities.
"The word 'curry' has been conflated with the 'smell' of marginalized communities and turned into a pejorative term for 'Indian.'"
Aditya Prakash
Retaliation and online abuse
Bhattacheryya, also a PhD student, faced backlash after inviting Prakash to lecture on cultural relativism in her class. Following his talk-where he discussed food racism without naming individuals-she posted about their experiences on X (formerly Twitter). The thread drew supportive comments but also racist slurs, including demands to "go back to India."
Students return to India, criticize systemic precarity
Despite the settlement, the couple said they never received a meaningful apology. They have since left the U.S., citing the emotional toll of being "othered" and the instability faced by international students.
"No matter how good you are, the system reminds you that your skin color or nationality could send you back anytime."
Aditya Prakash
The university did not respond to the BBC's request for comment on the lack of an apology.
