In Memory of Anjel Chakma, a Candlelight Vigil in Delhi

New Delhi: It was among the saddest sights of the year. On a cold, bleak evening on December 31, hundreds of students, mothers, fathers and activists from India’s beautiful northeastern states gathered at Jantar Mantar, in the heart of New Delhi, asking for the same dignity and respect that other citizens of the country consider granted.

They had gathered in protest against the killing of Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old student from Tripura, who was lynched three weeks ago by a racist mob in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

A photo of Anjel Chakma at a candlelight vigil in New Delhi.

The hate crime has drawn widespread condemnation. Political leaders, including leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi and several chief ministers, have spoken out and called for justice. Notably absent, however, has been any public condemnation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

At the gathering, every speaker returned to the same question: how does such violence still happen in a country that claims to be modern, educated and united?

Deputy leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, who was present at the gathering, said: 

“Today, we have to show the entire country that the Northeast is beautiful, proud, united and strong. The message that we want to give is first to the family of Anjel Chakma. We are sorry for what has happened to Anjel and we stand in solidarity with you. Second, we have to send a message to those who have the power to bring justice. Let justice not be delayed. Let the main perpetrator and main culprit be found. Let the courts deliver their justice in a sound and visible manner.” 

“It hurts me so much to think about what happened to Anjel,” said Kripa Rani, an animation specialist from Arunachal Pradesh. “Imagine the pain his parents must be going through. Yes, Anjel was from the northeast, from our community – but first and foremost, he was a human being. How can one human being kill another? I just don’t understand.”

Rani reminded of the humiliations that people from the Northeast routinely endure. “We want to tell other Indians that we are just as Indian as you are. Please don’t treat us like this. It hurts when we are called ‘Chinese’ or other names. We want to be able to move around freely, like everyone else, without racist slurs being thrown at us. 

“Just because we have smaller eyes does not mean we are from China. We are Indians,” she said.

Also read: An Open Letter: 'I Have Small Eyes, Mr Prime Minister'

Calling for stronger protections, she urged the government to pass a law specifically aimed at deterring hate crimes against people from the Northeast.

Pointing to the tricolours in the crowd, Rani further said, “People assume we are somehow less patriotic. But in the northeast, we celebrate Independence Day and Republic Day with immense fervour. If we see the Indian flag lying on the ground, we pick it up respectfully. Don’t question our Indianness.”

“This starts at home. Parents need to teach their children that all people are equal, and that it is wrong to mock or harass someone just because they look different,” she added, reflecting on the prejudice.

A candlelight vigil for Anjel Chakma on December 31, 2025. Photo: Rohit Kumar

Echoing the sentiment, Rulee, a student from Assam pursuing a BA in psychology in Delhi, demanded the need to stop normalising racism. 

“So many students from the northeast have been killed because of racism – and this is 2025. Everyone claims to be educated. It’s shameful that we still have to repeatedly say that we are from India. We need to stop normalising this hate. People say, ‘Oh, we were joking.’ But this is not a joke. We’ve been fighting this for a very long time,” she said.

Recalling her first months in the capital, Rulee described a constant sense of unease. “When I first came to Delhi, I noticed the stares. These weren’t stares of curiosity—they made me uncomfortable and made me wonder whether I even belonged here. Near where I live, there’s a school. Children barely in Class 1 or 2 shout ‘chinky Chinese’ at us. Where are they learning this? From parents, neighbours, cousins. That’s where change needs to begin. People need to educate themselves.”

Meanwhile, Ranjunee Chakma, a fashion designer from Mizoram, spoke of the harassment that comes with the discrimination. 

“I don’t understand what happens to some Indian men when they see women from the northeast,” she said. “The moment they see well-dressed northeastern girls, their hormones get activated or something. We face constant comments and harassment because of our features. It’s really uncool. We are Indians and we deserve to be treated as such.”

She further pointed to the deep ignorance about the region and asked, “Why aren’t children taught more about the northeast in schools?”

“All I remember learning was that Cherrapunji gets the highest rainfall. That’s it. If students actually learned about the people, cultures, and histories of the northeast, maybe we wouldn’t have to hear things like ‘chinky,’ ‘momo,’ or ‘they eat dogs up there’,” she lamented.

Protesters with banners at the candlelight vigil for Anjel Chakma on December 31, 2025. Photo: Rohit Kumar

Anjel Chakma’s murder is a grim reminder that racism in India is not abstract or accidental; it is learned, repeated and too often excused. 

Until it is confronted – at home, in schools, in politics and in public life – the promise of equal citizenship will remain painfully incomplete for many.

Rohit Kumar is an educator and can be reached at letsempathize@gmail.com.

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