Mizoram CM: I am a victim of Racism in India
SINGAPORE – At a time when racial attacks against Indian students in Australia have attracted comments from the top leadership in both countries, Mizoram chief minister Pu Lalthanhawla on Thursday said he too was a victim of racism – but in India.
Speaking at a conference on water at the Singapore International Water Week, the chief minister said: “In India, people ask me if I am an Indian.”
“When I go south, people ask me such questions. They ask me if I am from Nepal or elsewhere. They forget that the northeast is part of India. I have told many that see, I am an Indian like you,” Lalthanhawla said.
“I am a victim of racism,” he said. Indians consist of three races – “Dravidians, Aryans and we in the northeast,” Lalthanhawla said.
Though many northeastern students complain of such discrimination in places like New Delhi, a state chief minister speaking in an international podium about an issue unrelated to the subject concerned was not liked by other Indian delegates present.
Source: Times of India via Lawrkhawm.com
Many people have commented at Times of India website, click here to view them.
Posted: June 25th, 2009 under News & Views.
Comments: 5
Tags: Racism in India
Comments
Comment from burgerstud2005
Time: June 26, 2009, 1:23 pm
Hatts off to Lal Thanhawla.He got a valid point.Most of us face racial discrimation and bullying in Delhi and the so called ‘Indian cities’.They never call me as Indian but we are very much Indian as much as they are.
Comment from Steven
Time: June 26, 2009, 3:32 pm
Mizoram CM spoke the truth, but the example he gave was not very good. I wonder if the media plays part in quoting him only that much and making a hue and cry out of it.
There are many other better examples the CM could have given. We face racism almost everyday. Many of our Indian brothers do not simply ask from where we are, but there is this underlying wicked intention which we can know from their tone and facial expression, when they ask such questions. More than that kind of question, there are many other instances. India has a long way to go.
Comment from makeawish
Time: June 29, 2009, 8:04 am
I am from Central India. I am currently based in US. I am liberal and
I do agree that (unfortunately) north east Indians are not treated well
in many parts of India.
By the way is emizoram.com available in English? Also is there any other
portal or website about mizoram (news/blog)?
Thanks
Comment from Beita Jr.
Time: June 29, 2009, 8:50 am
Hi makeawish, thanks for leaving your comment at samaw.com, emizoram.com does not provide English news for now; perhaps they will do in the future. Most news/blog sites from Mizoram are usually in Mizo, http://www.zonet.in is the only Web site that offers both Mizo and English versions as of now.
Comment from burgerstud2005
Time: July 1, 2009, 11:09 pm
@makeawish:try this blog mizohican.blogspot.com
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