Meghalaya Chief Minister Denounces Discrimination Against Northeast Community
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma issued a strong condemnation on Sunday against discrimination targeting people from the Northeast region of India. In a social media post, Sangma emphasized that such prejudicial behavior must stop immediately, though he did not reference any specific incident directly.
Altercation in Malviya Nagar Sparks Outrage
Sangma's remarks coincided with the circulation of a purported video showing an altercation at a rented apartment in Delhi's Malviya Nagar area. The incident involved three women from Arunachal Pradesh who allegedly faced racial slurs, humiliation, and intimidation from their neighbors following a dispute over repair work.
According to police reports, the altercation occurred on February 20 around 3:30 PM when the women called an electrician to their fourth-floor apartment to install an air conditioner. During drilling work, dust and debris reportedly fell to the floor below, prompting objections from the neighbors.
Police Register FIR Under Multiple BNS Sections
The Delhi Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) at the Malviya Nagar police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges include:
- Section 79: Word intended to insult a woman's modesty
- Section 351(2): Criminal intimidation
- Section 3(5): Common intention
- Section 196: Promoting enmity on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc.
The case has been filed against two individuals identified as Harsh Singh and his wife Ruby Jain. No arrests have been made so far as the investigation continues.
Video Evidence Circulates on Social Media
A purported video of the confrontation has been widely shared on social media platforms, allegedly capturing the accused using offensive language. In the footage, the woman is reportedly heard referring to the victims as momo and making derogatory remarks implying that Northeastern women work in massage parlors as sex workers.
The video also shows a police officer present at the scene intervening and attempting to defuse the tense situation. The women are seen confronting the couple and denying the allegations, with one of them demanding that the neighbors verify their claims about her character.
Women Report Mental Harassment and Demand Justice
The complainants told police that while they sustained no physical injuries, they suffered significant mental harassment and humiliation. They have demanded a formal apology, arguing that the remarks were not merely personal insults but targeted the dignity of the entire Northeastern community.
Sources indicate that tensions escalated further after the incident when a building broker allegedly informed the women that they might need to vacate their flat within two months due to proposed repairs. This development raised concerns about their safety and housing security in the national capital.
Legal Representatives Highlight Persistent Racial Prejudice
Advocate Reena Rai, representing the three women, stated that this episode underscores the persistent racial prejudice faced by people from the Northeast in Delhi. As neighbors, they should have provided these women, who live far away from home, a sense of security. Instead, they harassed them and made filthy remarks, she said.
Rai added emphatically: We are as much Indian as anyone else. Why are we treated like outsiders just because we are from the Northeast? We, too, have the right to live with equality and dignity.
Defense Claims Exaggeration and Selective Video Footage
Counsel for the accused contested the allegations, arguing that the matter was being exaggerated on social media and that both parties were involved in the verbal exchange. The defense also claimed that the video circulating online presents a selective view of the incident.
This case has drawn attention to broader issues of discrimination and racial bias against Northeastern communities in urban centers across India, prompting calls for greater awareness and legal protection against such prejudice.
