In pursuit of a World without Discrimination

Richard Loitam, a second-semester student of Architecture in Bangalore, was found dead in his hostel room. The family members and friends alleged that he was assaulted brutally by his seniors. Dana Sangma a 21 year old MBA student, committed suicide in her hostel room. Nido Tania, a 20 year old student, was beaten to death with iron rods. All these incidents have one thing in common. All the victims belonged to a particular region of our country. The country which touts so proudly about Unity in Diversity, failed at multiple instances to exhibit the same sentiments.

Does belonging to a particular region make you less Indian than any other citizen of the country? Does different physical appearance imply you will be treated differently in your own country? Why people have set their own parameters to judge anyone? There have been multiple cases of discrimination against north-east Indians, like over-charging of rent, calling them by derogatory names, physical and mental harassment. All these examples signify how superficial our thinking has become. We don’t accept people who come to our city for sake of getting a good education or employment, yet we say proudly that our country provides us the freedom to reside and settle in any part of our country. We want our freedom yet we breach other’s right to freedom. What kind of hypocrisy is this?

Protests have been staged to assert the need of strong anti-racism laws in our country. People took a stand against the racial discrimination. Candle light processions were held. Government promised strict action against the perpetrators. Bezbaruah committee was formulated to research and suggest the measures to be taken to bring the situation under control. The panel identified the need in amendment to our existent laws, proposing two amendments. The proposed Section 153-C pertains to imputations and assertions prejudicial to human dignity and makes words or signs attempting to discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, a non-bailable offence punishable with imprisonment up to five years with fine. The proposed Section 509-A attempts to make any word, gesture or act intended to insult a member of a particular race with imprisonment that may extend to three years with fine.

Some of the other commendable initiatives include, police exchange programs with north-indian states, special helpline number 1093 for northeast people, Incorporation of north-indian history and contribution to freedom in school curriculum, promoting their cultural heritage and sports. All these recommendations are to be implemented in upcoming months. Undoubtedly, Bezbaruah committee has done a tremendous job in identifying the measures to be taken. We are looking forward to the actual implementation, in the hope to be able to speak out loud that YES, we believe in our country’s Unity in Diversity. Yes, we believe that a day would come when there would be no need to state, for it would be testified by the absence of any such cases of discrimination to our own brothers and sisters.