Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday strongly condemned the death of a 24-year-old postgraduate student from Tripura in Dehradun, calling the incident a “national disgrace” and linking it to deeper, systemic prejudice against people from India’s Northeast.
The student, Angel Chakma, an MBA candidate at a private university in Dehradun, succumbed to stab injuries on December 26—more than two weeks after he was allegedly attacked in what police and family members have described as a racially motivated assault. The attack reportedly occurred on December 9 in the Selaqui area of Dehradun.
Reacting to the death, Tharoor posted a strongly worded message on social media, stating that the killing was not an isolated act of violence but the outcome of “ignorance, prejudice, and a failure to respect India’s diversity.” He said the young man was racially abused, dehumanised with slurs such as “Chinese” and “momo,” and ultimately murdered.
“This brutal killing is not just a tragedy—it is a national disgrace,” Tharoor said, warning against what he described as a growing pattern of racism in parts of North India, often normalised through casual mockery or institutional neglect.
‘Northeast Is Central to India’s Identity’
Emphasising the constitutional and cultural importance of the Northeast, Tharoor said discrimination against people from the region strikes at the core of India’s identity. “The Northeast, with its rich cultures, languages, and traditions, is not peripheral to India—it is central to it. Yet, people from the region continue to face racial profiling, exclusion, and abuse. This must end,” he said.
Calling for accountability beyond legal proceedings, Tharoor added that justice must also be delivered in the “conscience of the nation.” He urged educational institutions, the media, and political leaders to play a proactive role in addressing bias. “Schools must teach inclusive histories, media must portray Northeast Indians with dignity, and society must unlearn its prejudices,” he said.
Police Action and Arrests
According to police, the attack took place near a liquor outlet following an argument. Senior sub-inspector Jitendra Kumar of Selaqui police station said both the victim and the accused had consumed alcohol at the time.
Police have arrested five accused—Avinash Negi, Shaurya Rajput, Suraj Khwas, Ayush Badoni, and Sumit—on December 14. A sixth accused, described as the mastermind, remains absconding. Authorities have formed a special team to trace him. The main accused is reportedly a Nepal national currently residing in Haridwar.
Tipra Motha chief Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma has announced a ₹10 lakh reward for information leading to the arrest of the absconding accused.
Family Alleges Racial Abuse
Angel Chakma’s father, Tarun Chakma, a BSF jawan posted in Manipur, alleged that the attack began when Angel intervened to defend his younger brother, Michael Chakma, who was being racially abused. He claimed the attackers used derogatory slurs and assaulted Angel with knives and blunt objects.
The family also alleged delays in the registration of the FIR, stating that the complaint was filed only after intervention by student organisations and senior police officials. Police, however, said the investigation is ongoing and assured that efforts to apprehend the remaining accused have been intensified.
