Colorado University Settles Curry Controversy for $200,000, Bans Indian Students
The University of Colorado Boulder recently concluded a bitter dispute that started in a shared kitchen. Two Indian PhD students faced severe consequences after reheating traditional food. The university agreed to a $200,000 settlement but permanently banned the students from campus.
A Simple Lunch Sparks Major Conflict
In September 2023, anthropology student Aditya Prakash warmed his palak paneer in a faculty kitchen microwave. A staff member immediately objected to the aroma. They called the spinach and cottage cheese curry "pungent" and told Prakash to stop using the appliance for such meals.
Prakash refused to accept this criticism quietly. As an anthropologist, he understood cultural dynamics well. He argued that shared kitchens should accommodate diverse culinary practices. He noted that smell perceptions vary greatly across cultures.
When staff suggested even broccoli could be considered too odorous, Prakash delivered a memorable response. "How many groups face racism because they eat broccoli?" he asked. This question would later feature prominently in legal documents and social media discussions.
University Response Escalates Quickly
What began as a minor kitchen disagreement soon turned into a major administrative issue. According to a federal civil rights lawsuit filed in May 2025, the university initiated a pattern of retaliation against Prakash.
University officials summoned him to multiple meetings. They claimed his insistence on reheating food made staff members "feel unsafe." The lawsuit argued the university was misusing safety concerns as a weapon against the student.
The situation quickly involved another doctoral candidate, Urmi Bhattacharyya. After she invited Prakash to discuss ethnocentrism in her class, using the incident as an example, the university terminated her teaching assistantship abruptly.
Matters worsened when Bhattacharyya and several peers shared Indian food on campus in solidarity. University authorities accused them of "inciting a riot" according to the legal complaint.
Academic Records Become Bargaining Chips
The dispute reached a critical point when the university withheld the students' master's degrees. Both Prakash and Bhattacharyya had completed requirements for these degrees while pursuing doctorates.
Their attorney, Tyrone Glover, argued this move effectively held their academic records hostage. A simple disagreement about microwave use had transformed into a serious civil rights case with significant financial implications.
Settlement Brings Compensation But Permanent Ban
By fall 2025, CU Boulder reached a settlement agreement. The terms were both compensatory and punitive:
- The university paid $200,000 to cover emotional distress and legal fees
- Officials formally conferred the delayed master's degrees
- Both students received permanent "no reentry" bans from campus
University representatives denied any wrongdoing. They maintained that established procedures had been followed throughout the process.
Prakash has since returned to India with his degree. He expressed no desire to return to the university, citing visa uncertainties and exhaustion from two years of legal battles.
Lasting Lessons From a Spicy Dispute
The University of Colorado Boulder has removed references to "pungent food" from internal guidelines. However, the incident serves as a cautionary tale about cultural sensitivity in academic environments.
When institutions attempt to regulate the cultural expressions of campus life, including culinary practices, they risk costly consequences. This case demonstrates how quickly minor conflicts can escalate when cultural understanding is lacking.
The $200,000 settlement and permanent bans show both sides paid a price. The university faced financial and reputational costs, while the students lost their academic home despite receiving compensation.
