Ask GoI to address racial discrimination DIMAPUR, APRIL 9 (MExN): 23 North East student unions today issued a joint statement decrying the discrimination and assault against African nationals in India. The statement extended solidarity with people of African origin living in India and particularly those who were attacked in Greater Noida recently. “We empathise with the violence, ordeals, and humiliation faced by Africans in India. We are distressed to learn of the ongoing situation, and denial of the Indian government to term the incident as racist is worrying. Various incidents of racism against people of African origin in India from the past are not isolated incidents, they stemmed from the deep rooted prejudice mindset of the majority of Indians,” it stated. While condemning racial discrimination against anyone (particularly people of African origin) and caricatures people make by creating stereotypes like cannibalism and drug users/peddlers, the student unions stated that these stereotypes are reflection of “racist mindset which we, people from North East India, are also at receiving end over and over again.” It pointed out that whenever people from the North East were “racially discriminated, we see that nationalism fervour is being infused by stating that we don’t deserve to be discriminated when we are also Indian.” Statements like these are misleading, it stated, while adding that “racism is committed towards any people from other race irrespective of one’s citizenry of a nation.” The unions urged the Government of India to take appropriate steps and measures to address this issue. “We believe that the first step towards addressing this issue is to acknowledge the existence of racism. We also like to convey that the government and concerned authorities, and civil societies should continue to reach out to people of African origin and make their voices heard and involve them in any decision concerning their interests,” the statement added. The student unions that appended the statement included the All Bodo Students’ Union, Arunachal Students’ Union, Delhi (ASUD), Concerned Faculties, St. Edmund’s College, Shillong, Delhi Association of Manipur Muslim Students (DAMMS), Delhi Mizo Zirlai Pawl (Delhi Mizo Students’ Association), Foothills’ Study Circle, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad Manipur Society (HYMS), Kuki Students’ Organisation, Delhi & NCR, Kuki Students’ Organisation, Mumbai, Manipur Students’ Association Delhi (MSAD), Meghalaya Students in Delhi, North East Students’ Association, Jamia (NESA), Naga Students’ Union, Mumbai (NSUM), Naga Students’ Union Pune (NSUP), North East Students, Delhi School of Social Work, University of Delhi, North East Support Centre & Helpline, North East Students, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, North East Students’ Forum (NESF), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi, Northeast Solidarity, Bangalore, North-Eastern Hill University Students’ Union, Raiot Webzine, Tripura Students’ Forum, Delhi. (TSFD) and the Thma U Rangli-Juki (TUR), Meghalaya.
