Walking with Racism and Insecurity in India : Where to GO ?

Avis Trump *

Protest ride by Bikers Against Racial Discrimination (BARD) at Bangalore on 16th February, 2014

Let's talk about all the times people in India are completely Racist to me and the insecurity I felt in the country I was born. The C-word has been said to me on many occasions by people in India of all races. Usually, when I am just walking down the street minding my own business someone will feel the need to remind me that I am mongloid and that that is bad.

Many uncountable Racist incidents happened with me in the metropolitan cities of India which makes me ponder if I ever belong of this country? I come to the metropolitan cities of India to fulfil my dreams leaving all my loved ones far behind like most of my fellow friends from NorthEast India. I was brought up in a mixed-culture society with different religions and traditions. We respect each other irrespective of the community, religion, caste or beliefs.

So with high expectation I landed in Delhi in the year 2010 with high dreams in eyes and expecting good friendly people in Delhi too with ethical values. But unfortunately Delhi let me down and I would be wrong if I generalise all the Delhites but majority of the population are "illiterate disrespectful people".

I was astounded by the treatment I received from my fellow countrymen of the same country. Every time I step out of my place for college or for my personal work, Racial taunts out of no where will echo in my ears. People will stare at me as if I am from some other planet. Sometimes people stares for a longer duration just to mock, and it's very uncomfortable.

In most of the countries staring is considered impolite but not here in India. Staring and scanning us from head to toe making us feel uncomfortable is what they enjoy doing. Staring is not the only thing we face in our day to day life in the metropolitan cities of India; this staring will be followed by making fun of our Mongoliod looks, passing lewd racist comments to our sisters, making fun of us with racial slurs such as 'C******' , Momos, Ow Mao Chow, Chowmein, Junglees, and so on.

Initially, I retaliated as I am a person who stand-up for my rights and my dignity. Now I am thinking how lucky I was for I am not assaulted and beaten to dead for standing-up for my rights and my dignity. However, there is one instance where a friend from Afghanistan once advised me not to waste time and energy to this bunch of illiterate racists getting down to their level. And have learnt to ignored the unwanted racial taunt even if it hurts – but how long will I keep walking with Racism and getting hurt?

But for how long can I burry this anger inside of me? One day or another it will burst out and the consequences maybe disastrous. Maybe, I have to sacrifice my life for standing-up for my rights and my dignity, just like my little brother Nido Tania did. What a brave kid Nido was, he fought for his Right and Dignity which we all NorthEasterners living in metropolitan cities of India has forgotten to stand-up for our own rights and dignity, and should learn from him.

Maybe we have given up to stand-up for our own rights and dignity or maybe we have decided it's our fate or luck. Our Indian Constitution teaches us about fundamental 'RIGHTS' but I ask where the right to freedom to live for the NorthEasterners is? Does this country not boast of being the largest democratic nation of the world?

Why can't we live a racist free life without feeling any insecurity of being made fun of for how we look, dress, eat, talk, religion we follow etc? Why do most of the mainland Indians always has to taunt us with racial slurs whenever we passed across them? Can't we coexist; they live their way and let us live the way we want?

Is it too difficult for them to follow this simple ideology "live and let live"?

Back at home in the NorthEast, the Indian Army has swarmed in with AFSPA powers to kill on mere suspicion for tackling the militancy problem. Unfortunately, nothing fruitful has seen over the past 2 to 3 decades. Rather it has brought more tension to the society giving birth to more militancy groups.

AFSPA the draconian law which gives the armed soldiers the license to kill anyone at mere suspicious has made our lives hell. We live a life of insecurity even back at home. If not lucky one can be get killed in a fake encounter.

Irom Channu Sharmila has been fighting a lone fight for decades to repeal this draconian law AFSPA and to bring an end to these inhumane atrocities meted out to the innocent citizens but hardly anyone bothered. Everyone fears the man in uniform for they hold the guns in their hands. Parents won't allow us to roam in the evening (deadline 6-7 PM) due to the fear of their wards being killed in a possible fake encounter.

Feeling of insecurity always followed us everywhere we go be it at home or be it in the metropolitan cities of India. On one side fear of getting killed in a fake encounter and on the other side fear of getting mocked for our looks by strangers and getting killed if we stand-up for our rights and dignity. It's like we are stuck in a whirlpool where there is no way out.

Tell me where to go where I can be just myself and live peacefully?Let's talk about all the times people in India are completely Racist to me and the insecurity I felt in the country I was born. The C-word has been said to me on many occasions by people in India of all races. Usually, when I am just walking down the street minding my own business someone will feel the need to remind me that I am mongloid and that that is bad.

Many uncountable Racist incidents happened with me in the metropolitan cities of India which makes me ponder if I ever belong of this country? I come to the metropolitan cities of India to fulfil my dreams leaving all my loved ones far behind like most of my fellow friends from NorthEast India. I was brought up in a mixed-culture society with different religions and traditions. We respect each other irrespective of the community, religion, caste or beliefs.

So with high expectation I landed in Delhi in the year 2010 with high dreams in eyes and expecting good friendly people in Delhi too with ethical values. But unfortunately Delhi let me down and I would be wrong if I generalise all the Delhites but majority of the population are "illiterate disrespectful people".

I was astounded by the treatment I received from my fellow countrymen of the same country. Every time I step out of my place for college or for my personal work, Racial taunts out of no where will echo in my ears. People will stare at me as if I am from some other planet. Sometimes people stares for a longer duration just to mock, and it's very uncomfortable.

In most of the countries staring is considered impolite but not here in India. Staring and scanning us from head to toe making us feel uncomfortable is what they enjoy doing. Staring is not the only thing we face in our day to day life in the metropolitan cities of India; this staring will be followed by making fun of our Mongoliod looks, passing lewd racist comments to our sisters, making fun of us with racial slurs such as 'C******' , Momos, Ow Mao Chow, Chowmein, Junglees, and so on.

Initially, I retaliated as I am a person who stand-up for my rights and my dignity. Now I am thinking how lucky I was for I am not assaulted and beaten to dead for standing-up for my rights and my dignity. However, there is one instance where a friend from Afghanistan once advised me not to waste time and energy to this bunch of illiterate racists getting down to their level. And have learnt to ignored the unwanted racial taunt even if it hurts – but how long will I keep walking with Racism and getting hurt?

But for how long can I burry this anger inside of me? One day or another it will burst out and the consequences maybe disastrous. Maybe, I have to sacrifice my life for standing-up for my rights and my dignity, just like my little brother Nido Tania did. What a brave kid Nido was, he fought for his Right and Dignity which we all NorthEasterners living in metropolitan cities of India has forgotten to stand-up for our own rights and dignity, and should learn from him.

Maybe we have given up to stand-up for our own rights and dignity or maybe we have decided it's our fate or luck. Our Indian Constitution teaches us about fundamental 'RIGHTS' but I ask where the right to freedom to live for the NorthEasterners is? Does this country not boast of being the largest democratic nation of the world?

Why can't we live a racist free life without feeling any insecurity of being made fun of for how we look, dress, eat, talk, religion we follow etc? Why do most of the mainland Indians always has to taunt us with racial slurs whenever we passed across them? Can't we coexist; they live their way and let us live the way we want?

Is it too difficult for them to follow this simple ideology "live and let live"?

Back at home in the NorthEast, the Indian Army has swarmed in with AFSPA powers to kill on mere suspicion for tackling the militancy problem. Unfortunately, nothing fruitful has seen over the past 2 to 3 decades. Rather it has brought more tension to the society giving birth to more militancy groups.

AFSPA the draconian law which gives the armed soldiers the license to kill anyone at mere suspicious has made our lives hell. We live a life of insecurity even back at home. If not lucky one can be get killed in a fake encounter.

Irom Channu Sharmila has been fighting a lone fight for decades to repeal this draconian law AFSPA and to bring an end to these inhumane atrocities meted out to the innocent citizens but hardly anyone bothered. Everyone fears the man in uniform for they hold the guns in their hands. Parents won't allow us to roam in the evening (deadline 6-7 PM) due to the fear of their wards being killed in a possible fake encounter.

Feeling of insecurity always followed us everywhere we go be it at home or be it in the metropolitan cities of India. On one side fear of getting killed in a fake encounter and on the other side fear of getting mocked for our looks by strangers and getting killed if we stand-up for our rights and dignity. It's like we are stuck in a whirlpool where there is no way out.

Tell me where to go where I can be just myself and live peacefully?