Pune, 23rd March 2023
Discrimination against students from Northeast India has once again come to the forefront, this time in the city of Pune. According to recent reports, many students from Northeast India studying in various colleges in Pune have faced discriminatory behaviour from fellow students and faculty members. Northeast students have reported being subjected to racial slurs, jokes and derogatory comments, which has affected their mental and emotional well-being. They feel that they are constantly being treated as outsiders and are made to feel unwelcome on campus. Many students also reported being singled out in class, being excluded from group activities and even facing difficulties in finding accommodation.
"The Buzz Wire" received intel about V.B, a northeastern student living in Pune, who has faced discrimination due to his looks. He has been a victim of receiving racial stigmatic statements from several people which include teachers. V.B recalled an incident where he went to give exams for Maharashtra police while speaking to The Buzz Wire. “When I went to give the exams, I was told – The exam is only for Maharashtrian people but it doesn’t go like that. All over India, anyone can appear for the exams.” V.B quoted a policeman saying – “Aap paas hi nahi hoge exam deke kyaa karoge?” (You won’t even pass why do you want to give the exams?)
V.B raised concerns over the fact that the Police are supposed to protect us from these violations of our rights. When the police themselves pass such shallow comments how can one expect them to take action against others who discriminate against the North Easterns? “I am not going to some other country to work. I am here. I have scope in other countries. I can go there and work for them but I am working for an Indian constitution. I am working for the better future of India.”
He also mentioned that these comments come from small children too and not only adults. When V.B confronted a kid’s mother, she shrugged it off by saying “They are kids, if they don’t make fun who will?” V.B stated that the “kid” was in the 10th class and not a small child. He believes that the reason for this is that parents themselves must be passing casual comments on northeastern people and that is what the “kid” picked up.
This discrimination has been ongoing for years, with students from Northeast India often facing similar issues in different parts of the country. Despite various government initiatives to promote national integration and cultural exchange, it appears that little has been done to address the problem of discrimination against Northeast students. Many Northeast student organizations in Pune have come together to demand action from the authorities. They have requested that educational institutions take strict measures to prevent such discrimination and ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
Several Northeast student organizations have also been organizing awareness campaigns and cultural events to promote a better understanding of Northeast Indian culture and to create a sense of belonging among the Northeast students. This issue of discrimination against Northeast students is not unique to Pune, but educational institutions must take responsibility to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students, regardless of their cultural background or place of origin.
Not only north-eastern citizens but non-Maharashtrians have also found it difficult to make a spot in the colleges of Pune. Cultural clubs of colleges do not accept their applications and give preference to Maharashtrians or Marathi Speaking candidates over outsiders. Pune is called the “Oxford of The East” and is a developed education hub. With such cases of discrimination arising now and then, the city is sure to receive a dent in its educational esteem.
Unfortunately, a difference still lies between Vinit and these people. He told how the northeastern people are warm and welcoming when a new person visits them and how they treat him as their own. Vinit pointed out the irony by mentioning how he is subject to “Alienation” by other people when he visits them.
The story of the North Eastern students being at the firing range of discrimination is not new for India. They have often been termed Chinese, Cheeni, Sahabji, Coronavirus and many other racial terms. North Eastern women are objectified and bullied to no known extent for their facial as well as body features. This discrimination is left unspoken of as it has been accepted as just a “humorous comment”. Many such words such as Mullas for Muslims, Dot Head for Hindu Women and Cheeni for North Eastern people are commonly used by people without knowing the racial stigma attached to them.
This is the reason why we as Indians have failed to accept the northeastern people as our own. We have always linked the Northeastern people of India with China to such an extent that we have instilled a feeling of alienation ourselves within their hearts. The people of the seven sisters are as much Indians as any Gujarati, Maharashtrian or Kashmiri. It is high time we step against this racial discrimination being inflicted upon all citizens of our nation, everyone in our nation is unique and we must respect them.
V.B concluded by saying “I just want people to know I am also an Indian guy. I was born and brought up here and I am doing everything I can for our own country and it's good. My dad is also in Army. He is fighting for our own country and people are fighting with me for their fun. No one should pass such comments because I look north-eastern.”
Comments