Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | February 25
Nagaland Minister Temjen Imna Along has called for an end to racial discrimination against Northeastern people in mainland India, citing recent harassment cases in Uttar Pradesh,Delhi and Uttarakhand. Reacting to reports involving a Naga doctor, a woman, who fell victim to allegedly racially motivated slurs and sexual harrasment at the AIIMS, Gorakhpur, and tenants in New Delhi's Malviya Nagar, Along stated that the people of Nagaland feel "really hurt" and "pained" by the treatment of their youth.
Along, who is also a Spokesperson of the state government, was asked to comment on the recent incidents on the sidelines of the Sekrenyi-cum-Mini Hornbill festival in Sovima village, Chümoukedima on February 25.
He noted that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia have condemned the acts, with Scindia demanding severe punishment. He said that the UP Police has already booked the accused involved in the Gorakhpur incident, terming the action as an effective response from the UP government.
Addressing the broader impact on national unity, Along remarked that such "ugly behaviour" by “unknown, unknowledgeable people” undermines the narrative of a “strong India.” He said, "Discriminative, racial behaviour is not accepted to us in any way."
Alluding to the infamous Naga King Chilly promotional video, where Nagas were depicted in Chinese garb, a reporter questioned if the Central government contributes to the problem through "visual misrepresentation.” He dismissed this, refusing to blame the Centre.
Instead, he said that the state would “reach out very openly on the matter” of racial profiling, to coordinate safety measures with other states. He asserted that victims of such discrimination are being “robbed of their fundamental rights of (a) citizen” and the clarity of living peacefully.
