Delhi Racial Abuse of Arunachal Women: Pema Khandu, Bimol Akoijam and Others Demand Strict Action

New Delhi: A case of alleged racial abuse against three women from Arunachal Pradesh living in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar has sparked strong political reactions. An FIR has been registered and the accused have been identified as Harsh Singh and Ruby Jain.

Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu said on X, “Strongly condemn the shameful incident of racial abuse faced by our three young sisters from Arunachal Pradesh residing in Malviya Nagar, South Delhi. Such behaviour is absolutely unacceptable and has no place in our society.”

He added: “Immediately after learning about the matter yesterday, I spoke with the Commissioner of Police, Delhi Police, and sought swift and strict action. The CP is personally in touch with me. The accused are currently absconding, and I have been assured that they will be apprehended at the earliest and dealt with as per law.”

Khandu further underlined that “we stand firmly with our three sisters, and their safety, dignity, and justice remain our highest priority.”

Strongly condemn the shameful incident of racial abuse faced by our three young sisters from Arunachal Pradesh residing in Malviya Nagar, South Delhi. Such behaviour is absolutely unacceptable and has no place in our society.

Immediately after learning about the matter…

— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) February 24, 2026

According to the police, the three Arunachali women alleged that a neighbouring couple verbally abused them during a dispute over minor repair work. A video that has circulated widely on social media purportedly captures a woman referring to the trio as “momo” and saying, "Rs 500 mei massage parlour mei kaam karne waali dhandhewali (You work at massage parlours as sex workers for Rs 500)... Are you sitting here to do business?" Meanwhile, a man who is alleged to be the woman's husband said, "Have you opened a massage parlour at home?"

In the video, a policeman is also seen trying to intervene and pacify the situation.

The incident allegedly took place around 3.30 pm on Friday (February 20). The trouble began when the accused couple, tenants in the same building, objected to debris from drilling and installation work.

Also read: ‘Go Sell Momo’: India’s Racism Has a Name and It Lives in Delhi

"We live on the fourth floor, and they live on the first floor. We had called an electrician to install an air-conditioner. As he drilled a small hole, some dust fell onto the neighbour's balcony. It was a minor issue, but they began abusing our electrician," one of the Arunachali women, who is preparing for the civil services exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), was quoted as saying by PTI.

The woman said they apologised, explaining it was unintentional, but the insults continued. "We apologised and explained it wasn't intentional, but they kept hurling more insults at us," she said, adding that the argument turned personal. "Instead of talking about the main issue, they started targeting the northeast. They kept saying that northeastern people are illiterate. We do dhandhebazi (sex work) for Rs 500. They even threatened to beat me up."

Based on the complaint, an FIR has been registered at the Malviya Nagar police station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to insulting the modesty of a woman, criminal intimidation, common intention, and promoting enmity between groups.

Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K. Sangma also criticised the episode, stating that discrimination against people from the northeast “must stop”.

Discrimination against North East People must stop

— Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) February 22, 2026

Speaking to reporters, he termed the development “unfortunate”.

"The recent incident that took place in Malviya Nagar [in Delhi] against our northeast citizens from Arunachal Pradesh is unfortunate. It is something that is unacceptable in today's world. And the kind of language that was used, that kind of word that was used, is very sad, and it is unacceptable," the Meghalaya chief minister was quoted as saying by ANI on Monday.

"As a state, as a region, as a country, we are working to move forward; these kinds of words move us two steps back. We need to understand that for a diverse nation like India, we need to respect each other, and there is no excuse for that," he said.

He added, "Whether citizens are from the rest of the country or from the northeast region or from wherever it is, without showing respect and without giving dignity to others, there is no way that we will be able to see our country progressing in the way that we all would like to see."

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi described the alleged abuse as “deeply disturbing and unacceptable”.

In a post on X, he wrote, “The racist abuse faced by Arunachali women in Delhi is deeply disturbing and unacceptable. No citizen should be made to feel alien in their own country. This incident is a stark reminder that prejudice against people from the North-East still persists.”

He added, “This incident cannot be dismissed as a routine dispute. The authorities need to act swiftly, ensure accountability under the law, and provide the complainants full protection and support. Equal citizenship should translate into equal respect and equal protection in every part of the country.”

The racist abuse faced by Arunachali women in Delhi is deeply disturbing and unacceptable. No citizen should be made to feel alien in their own country. This incident is a stark reminder that prejudice against people from the North-East still persists.

This incident cannot be…

— Gaurav Gogoi (@GauravGogoiAsm) February 24, 2026

Similarly, Congress MP from Inner Manipur constituency, A. Bimol Akoijam was quoted as saying by PTI, "We demand that strict action be taken. Although this is not an isolated incident, exemplary action must be taken to ensure that such behaviour is not encouraged or repeated in the future."

In a letter to Delhi Police, Sikkim MP Indra Hang Subba wrote that the incident was "not merely a neighbourhood disagreement but a serious act of racial hostility and cultural contempt".

Underlining that "northeast is an integral part," Sikkim chief minister Prem Singh Tamang said, “Such instances remind us of the importance of upholding dignity and mutual respect at all times... every citizen deserves dignity, equality, and respect."

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