The tragic death of a young student from Tripura has once again forced India to confront an ugly and persistent reality: the racial discrimination faced by citizens from its northeastern states. Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old MBA student, died in Dehradun after a brutal attack, highlighting a deep-seated social issue that refuses to fade.
A Promising Future Cut Short by Racial Hatred
Anjel Chakma travelled from his home in Tripura to Dehradun with a common dream: to pursue higher education for a better career and a secure future. Enrolled as a final-year MBA student, his life took a horrifying turn on December 9, 2025. The incident occurred near a liquor shop in Dehradun where Anjel allegedly objected to racial slurs directed at him. This act of defiance led to a violent assault.
He sustained severe injuries to his head and spine in the attack. For 17 agonizing days, he fought for his life in the hospital. Despite medical efforts, Anjel Chakma succumbed to his injuries on December 26, 2025. His death is not an isolated statistic but a grim reminder of a systemic problem.
Waves of Anger and Grief Across the Northeast
The news of Anjel's death triggered immediate and widespread outrage. Protests erupted across Tripura and several other northeastern states. Student organizations and civil society groups took to the streets, expressing not just grief but also long-standing anger and fear.
For many from the Northeast living in other parts of India, Anjel's case reinforced their worst anxieties. It underscored the persistent racial targeting and concerns over personal safety they experience far from their home states. The protests are a demand for accountability, justice, and a fundamental change in attitudes.
The Unanswered Question: Why Does This Hostility Persist?
Anjel Chakma's death brings a painful question back into sharp focus: Why do students and workers from the Northeast continue to face racial hostility in Indian cities? Despite legal frameworks and awareness campaigns, incidents of discrimination, stereotyping, and violence persist.
This case in Dehradun exposes the gap between the constitutional ideal of equality and the lived reality for many Indians from the northeastern region. It challenges society to move beyond mere condemnation and address the ingrained prejudices that lead to such tragedies. The demand for a more inclusive and respectful India, where no citizen has to proclaim "I am Indian" to claim their identity and safety, has never been more urgent.
