ISLAMABAD: A 24-year-old Northeastern Indian lost his life on Friday after being stabbed multiple times by a mob in Dehradun, local media reported the incident was motivated by racial hatred.
“I am Indian. What certificate should we show to prove that I am Indian”, were reportedly the last words of Anjel Chakma, an MBA student before the mob fatally attacked him along with his brother with metal rods and knives.
The men hurled racial slurs at the two, calling them “Nepali,” “Chinese,” and “Chinki", as per media reports. The situation quickly turned violent afterwards leaving both victims hospitalized with Anjel losing his life soon after.
The attack has sparked widespread outrage and debate in India over racism and the safety of non-Hindu and Northeastern citizens.
Journalist Kadambini Sharma added:
Suhasini Haidar, editor at The Hindu added:
Many Indians expressed shame, calling the killing a failure to recognize Northeastern communities as integral parts of the country. X user Nirupama Menon Rao tweeted:
Others warned about the broader social implications, Nina Arora wrote:
Hemant Bhattrai highlighted systemic issues, saying:
At the same time, many refused to acknowledge domestic responsibility, reflecting deep divisions over race and identity in the country.
Rohit Lal responded to the tweet saying:
Deepika Govind said:
Chanakya Neeti responded with:
Similar attitudes are routinely directed at Muslims and other minority communities in India, with rights groups and critics arguing that such hostility is not isolated but reinforced by a top-down political climate. Rhetoric and policies associated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have normalized exclusion and impunity, allowing racial and religious prejudice to persist across society.
The incident and the divided responses reveal deep societal tensions in India over moral responsibility in regards to crimes against race and identity. While many acknowledge the persistent racism faced by non-Hindu minorities, others deflect blame or highlight external issues, exposing widespread denial, regional prejudice, and a struggle to reconcile national unity with entrenched biases.
In Dehradun and the northeast of India, student organizations have begun protests, calling for justice and pressing for a national law against racial hate crimes, while demanding better safety and dignity for students from the region studying outside their home states.
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