New Delhi, Dec 30: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday strongly condemned the killing of Angel Chakma, a student from Tripura, in Dehradun, saying the incident exposed the deep-rooted and everyday racism faced by people from the Northeast across India.
Reacting to Chakma’s death, Gogoi recalled a personal experience to underline how prejudice against Northeastern communities often manifests even in routine interactions.
“This happened with me as well. When I went to Agra once, a guard asked me, ‘Where do you hail from? Show me your passport,’” the Assam MP said.
He said such incidents reflect how people from the Northeast are frequently treated as outsiders and subjected to questions about their nationality despite being Indian citizens.
“We, the people from the Northeast, are asked for passports in our own country, by our own people,” Gogoi said, describing the experience as humiliating and deeply painful.
Gogoi noted that Northeastern citizens often have to repeatedly assert their Indian identity in the face of suspicion and stereotyping. “It takes a lot of courage to carry the Indian flag with pride when your own countrymen doubt whether you belong,” he said.
Referring to the killing of Angel Chakma, Gogoi said the incident went beyond a criminal act against one individual and pointed to a broader societal failure.
“This incident is symbolic of our tolerance and our patriotism,” he said, adding that persistent racial discrimination raises serious questions about inclusivity, equality and national unity.
Angel Chakma, a 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura, died after being allegedly assaulted in Dehradun earlier this month. The attack has been widely described as racially motivated, triggering outrage across the Northeast.
Student bodies, civil society groups and political leaders have demanded strict punishment for the perpetrators and stronger safeguards for Northeastern students and professionals living outside the region.
Gogoi’s remarks add to the growing calls for accountability and systemic reforms to address racism and discrimination, as concerns continue to mount over the safety and dignity of Northeastern communities in different parts of the country.
