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Supreme Court Slams Centre Over Northeast Discrimination, Demands Action

The Supreme Court has sharply criticized the Central government for failing to take serious action against the continued discrimination faced by people from Northeast India residing across the country. The bench questioned the government's failure to convene mandatory meetings of a monitoring committee every three months as previously ordered. Highlighting a lack of sensitivity, the court referenced a viral video depicting the slurs faced by the community. The matter has been adjourned with instructions for the committee to advance the discussed issues before the next hearing in July.

Key Points: SC Slams Centre for Inaction on Northeast Discrimination

  • SC criticizes Centre's inaction
  • Court-mandated committee not meeting regularly
  • Highlights ongoing racial discrimination
  • Demands greater sensitivity and follow-up
2 min read

Supreme Court flags continued discrimination faced by people from North East region

Supreme Court criticizes Centre for failing to address discrimination against people from Northeast India, demands regular committee meetings.

"We are not going to close this. Despite us keeping this matter pending, you (Centre) were taking things very lightly. - Supreme Court Bench"

New Delhi, April 8

The Supreme Court on Wednesday slammed the Centre for "taking things lightly" as it flagged continuing discrimination faced by people from the north east region residing across the country.

A bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and K Vinod Chandran questioned the Central government for failing to convene meetings of a court-mandated monitoring committee every three months to address issues faced by people from north east.

The bench said, "We are not going to close this. Despite us keeping this matter pending, you (Centre) were taking things very lightly.... There is no doubt about it. After 15 December, you didn't hold a meeting till we asked you to hold one. You Union were supposed to hold it every three months."

It noted that pursuant to its February 17 order, a meeting of the committee was held on March 15, however, the minutes did not indicate the next proposed date of meeting.

Adjourning the matter, the bench asked the committee to take forward the issues discussed in the March 15 meeting and posted the matter for hearing before it on July 15.

The bench also called for greater sensitivity towards discrimination faced by people from the north east.

Justice Kumar said, "A video is currently doing the rounds on WhatsApp. I was in Manipur and have many friends there... The song in the video says, call us Nepali, call us 'chinkis', but we are still Indians."

The top court was hearing a plea relating to the welfare of people from north-east India residing in different parts of the country.

Earlier, it had directed the monitoring committee to address incidents of racial discrimination and to meet every three months.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
I have friends from Manipur and Assam here in Bangalore. The casual racism they face - being called 'chinki' or asked if they're from China - is heartbreaking. They are as Indian as anyone from Punjab or Tamil Nadu. Good step by SC.
A
Aman W
While I agree discrimination is wrong, I feel the SC is overstepping by micromanaging committee meetings. The executive should be allowed to function. That said, sensitivity training in schools and colleges across India is a must.
S
Sarah B
Working in Delhi, I've seen this firsthand. Colleagues from Nagaland or Mizoram are often treated like foreigners. It's not just about laws, it's about changing mindsets. We need more awareness campaigns.
K
Karthik V
The fact that a monitoring committee had to be formed and they're still not meeting regularly shows the lack of priority. Justice Kumar mentioning that WhatsApp video hits hard. "We are still Indians" – that line says it all.
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Nisha Z
It starts with us. We need to check our own biases and teach our children better. The North East contributes so much to our culture, sports, and armed forces. They deserve respect, not slurs. #OneIndia

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