Northeast Indians Face Daily Discrimination in Major Cities
A recent report highlights the ongoing discrimination faced by citizens from India's Northeast in urban centers across the country. Many individuals from these regions experience prejudice and hostility on a daily basis.
Personal Stories Reveal Harsh Realities
One Naga merchant navy officer from Manipur shared his experience. He lives in Delhi's Vasant Kunj area but rarely leaves home when he returns from months at sea. The officer explained his reasoning clearly.
"Everyone tries to take advantage of me when they see my appearance or hear my accent," he said. "I used to argue and defend myself, but constant hostility wears you down. The disrespect never stops. Now I choose safety over confrontation."
Widespread Discrimination in Urban Spaces
This discrimination occurs in multiple settings throughout India's largest cities. People face prejudice in various public and private spaces.
- Public transportation systems including buses and metros
- Educational institutions from schools to colleges
- Workplaces and corporate boardrooms
- City streets and residential neighborhoods
The report suggests that those outside Northeast communities often fail to understand these daily challenges. Without shared ethnic background or regional experience, comprehension remains limited.
A Call for Greater Awareness
These accounts emphasize the need for increased awareness about discrimination against Northeast Indians. The merchant navy officer's story represents countless similar experiences across urban India.
His decision to minimize public exposure reflects the exhausting nature of constant prejudice. Many choose similar strategies to avoid daily confrontations and microaggressions.
The report concludes that meaningful change requires broader recognition of these issues. Understanding must precede solutions to the discrimination faced by Northeast communities in Indian cities.
