Correspondent
IMPHAL, May 10: Congress leaders from four northeast states – Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim – convened a joint meeting at New Delhi on Sunday to discuss issues concerning the region including the need for an Anti-Racial Discrimination Act among others.
In a post on its official Facebook, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) informed that the joint meeting held at Indira Bhawan, New Delhi, discussed issues concerning the northeast region, including the need for an Anti-Racial Discrimination Act and youth empowerment.
“During the meeting, leaders discussed the urgent need for a Northeast India Anti-Racial Discrimination Act, empowerment of Northeast youth, building a strong leadership pipeline for the Indian Youth Congress, and the promotion of cultural and sports activities across the northeast region,” the post read.
The meeting also emphasized strengthening unity, safeguarding the rights and identity of the people of the northeast, and creating greater opportunities for the youth of the region.
Leaders and delegates from four states – Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim- attended the meeting convened under the chairmanship of Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, AICC in-charge of all four states and Christopher Tilak, AICC secretary in-charge of the four states.
MPCC president O Ibobi Singh, CLP Manipur leader K Meghachandra Singh, Nagaland PCC president S Jamir, Tripura CLP leader Birjit Sinha, Tripura PCC president Asish Kumar Saha, Sikkim PCC president Gopal Chettri, and Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib were among others who attended the meeting.
Youth leaders and delegates from Manipur who attended the meeting were Manipur PYC president W Anand Singh, Avinas, Md Tajuddin, Malem Laithangbam, and Wajir Ahamad.
Regarding the Anti-Racial Discrimination Act, India has so far no such dedicated, comprehensive Act that defines and penalizes racism specifically, relying instead on constitutional provisions and general criminal laws.
The Indian Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of race,, and private initiatives like the Anti-Racism and Equality Bill, 2026 are being discussed, but not yet enacted.
People from the northeast region frequently encounter racial discrimination in mainland India due to distinct Mongoloid features.
Most common incidents included verbal slurs like “chinki,” “Chinese” etc., housing discrimination, and physical violence.
Often treated as outsiders, they face prejudices linked to stereotypes, cultural ignorance, and “othering” by mainland society, creating significant daily challenges.
As of now, such incidents of racial abuse are often registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (formerly Indian Penal Code) regarding “hurt,” criminal intimidation, or insult, but these do not specifically identify the motive as racial.