Indians do Racism Pretty Well

Cornelius Lanah *

Protest against Rape of a Manipuri at Vasant Vihar Police Station, Delhi on Feb 8 2014 :: Pix - Rabikan Kshetrimayum

While Indian students abroad may be able to keep counts of racial attacks on them, here in India, students from the North East are definitely losing counts of racial attacks in Delhi and other cities in India. Even as a write this, I read about eviction notice for the people of North East from South Delhi's Munirka area. Similarly, Naraina Village in west Delhi had also distributed pamphlets written in Hindi few years back.

Certainly the year 2014 hasn't begun well for the people of North East in Delhi. A new year which is supposed to be filled with hopes and dreams to achieve for students is turning out to be a horrific experience under the claws of racism. In

a span of just three weeks, a 19 year old Nido Tania from Arunachal Pradesh was beaten to dead when he retaliated after they made fun of his hairstyle and hurled racial abuses. A 14 year old girl was raped by the landlord's son on her way to buy household items. And as if that was not enough, two boys were attacked with iron rod and sticks while another man was stabbed and critically injured while returning home from church.

Let alone these incidents, if you are form North East with a mongoloid looks, you'll come across racism everyday in Delhi when you step out of your home. When you walk down the street or travel in public transport you'll hear people call you Chinki, Momo or Chawmein. When you walk by, some will even make a sound like "chi…ki, chi…ki, chi…ki" keeping 'n' silent.

This happen often when a group of young thugs travel or move around. They very well know that such derogatory words hurt the feelings of the person on the other side but they won't care to hold their tongue back because of their racist nature. They poke fun at the expense of racist taunt. When reacted back, fight would erupt and people nearby would join not knowing who is right and who is wrong. The case of Nido Tania bears as a witness to many such incidents in Delhi, although it might not have led to dead.

In spite of these racist taunts, hate crimes and many others in the past; I am amazed that many people could still deny outright that this is not racism. Most of the Indians still think that racism exists only in the western world and does not exist in India.

They could see racism when Indian students are attacked in Australia but when people from the North East and Nigerians are attacked and taunted in India, it is not racism? This reminds me of one of the old Poumai proverbs "You'll find other's shit stinky but not your own shit"

Like it or not, India is a racist country. In fact, the second most racist country in the world after Jordan, according to a study on global social attitudes of people in different countries reported by Washington Post. Yes! Indians are doing racism pretty well to live it up to this tag.

60% of women from North East faced harassment and discrimination in major Indian cities. City wise, Delhi is the most intolerant city towards women from North East.

A staggering rate of 81% of North East women faces racial discrimination in the national capital, according to a study conducted by 'Centre for North East Studies' at Jamia Millia Islamia University with National Commission for Women (NCW)

Enough of denial, enough is enough. Racism must end in India. A strong Anti Racism Law should be enacted to bring the racist under the book of Law and provide a sense of oneness and security to live anywhere in India. Like a good mother who would die protecting her children, India should enact anti racism law to protect her children of different races and do justice to its famed banner 'Unity in Diversity'.