Explained : The Impact of Politics on India’s Minorities and Its Impact

The rise of Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has transformed India in many ways, but one of the most alarming shifts has been the treatment of minority communities, particularly those from India’s northeastern states. These regions, known for their rich diversity and ethnic complexity, have increasingly become the target of Hindutva-driven politics under Modi’s leadership. The tragic death of 24-year-old Anjel Chakma, an MBA student from Tripura, exemplifies the racism and violence that has gripped the northeast under the BJP government’s watch. Anjel’s murder in Dehradun in December 2025, after being subjected to racial slurs and physical abuse, raises troubling questions about the BJP’s treatment of minority groups, especially students from the Northeast.

Violence Against Northeastern Students

The harrowing incident began when Anjel and his brother Michael, both from the Tripura Chakma community, were shopping at Selaqui market in Dehradun. As they picked out groceries, they were subjected to racial taunts and mockery, with locals hurling “Chinese momo” insults at them. These slurs, targeted at their physical appearance, were not an isolated occurrence. The brothers, trying to stand up for themselves, were brutally attacked. Anjel was stabbed multiple times, including in the neck and abdomen. After spending weeks in a hospital ICU, he succumbed to his injuries on December 26-27. His murder, followed by the return of his body to Tripura, sparked protests, but the local police initially dismissed the incident as a “jest-filled brawl,” downplaying the severity of the attack. It wasn’t until Anjel’s death that authorities upgraded the charges. This failure to act swiftly, coupled with the lack of accountability, paints a grim picture of how the Modi government and local law enforcement respond to hate crimes, particularly when committed against marginalized communities.

This incident is not an isolated one but fits into a disturbing pattern of violence against Northeastern students under Modi’s rule. In January 2014, Nido Tania, a student from Arunachal Pradesh, was beaten to death in Delhi after being taunted for his “chinky” appearance. Despite the gruesome nature of his death, no convictions were made, and the case faded into the background. More recently, in October 2020, Richard Loitongbam, another student from the Northeast, was stabbed in Bengaluru after enduring “Chinese” slurs. His attackers, like Tania’s, were left unpunished. In May 2021, a student from Meghalaya was lynched in Gujarat, and in November 2023, Naga girls were stripped and beaten in Bengaluru, facing humiliation and racial violence. These incidents, driven by xenophobia and hate, are amplified by Modi’s rhetoric, which pits India’s perceived “outsiders” against the dominant Hindu majority.

BJP’s Role in Inciting Division

These attacks on Northeastern students are a direct reflection of the Modi government’s divisive politics. Under the BJP’s rule, Hindutva ideology has been weaponized to marginalize and dehumanize communities that do not fit the dominant narrative. The BJP has consistently vilified Muslims, Dalits, and tribals, casting them as “outsiders” in their own country. But perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in the treatment of Northeast Indians, whose distinct cultural and ethnic identities have made them prime targets of racial hatred.

Modi’s policies have fueled this hatred through a series of actions that undermine the status of Northeastern states within the Indian Union. The controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), for example, discriminates against Muslims and has been met with strong opposition from the region. Despite the strong protests from Northeastern states, which fear being overrun by non-Muslim refugees from Bangladesh, the government has pushed forward with the law, further alienating the region. This policy, combined with Modi’s inflammatory rhetoric on China, has fostered an environment in which students like Anjel Chakma are seen as “other,” not truly Indian, even in their own country.

This rhetoric also feeds into the broader issue of racism. The use of terms like “Chinese momo” to describe Northeastern Indians not only reflects a racial stereotype but also exacerbates the sense of otherness that has long plagued the region. These slurs are a constant reminder to Northeastern Indians that they are not considered “Indian enough” by the dominant culture. This alienation is especially pronounced in urban centers, where Northeastern students often face discrimination while trying to integrate into Indian society.

Racism Underpinning Nationalism

The Modi government’s claims of national unity ring hollow when one considers the treatment of minority communities. The tragic death of Anjel Chakma is just the latest example of how the BJP’s divisive politics are fueling racial violence and deepening the divide between the Northeast and the rest of India. The Youth Tipra Federation, a student-led organization from Tripura, has been vocal in demanding justice for Anjel, but their calls for action have largely fallen on deaf ears. Modi’s silence on the matter is deafening, as he continues to focus on his anti-China rhetoric and his quest for re-election rather than addressing the underlying racism that plagues Indian society.

In fact, Modi’s anti-China rhetoric has only worsened the situation for Northeastern students. By associating the region with China, the BJP has further marginalized these communities, linking their ethnic identities with the country that India perceives as a major geopolitical adversary. This has created a toxic environment in which Northeasterners are viewed as suspicious, alien, and untrustworthy. Modi’s political strategy of using fear and division to galvanize his base has only deepened the sense of alienation felt by the 45 million people who call the Northeast their home.

The government’s failure to pass any meaningful anti-racism laws or to hold perpetrators of violence against Northeastern students accountable is a testament to the fact that these lives are seen as expendable in the eyes of the ruling establishment. There is no political will to confront this racism, and without any significant legal or social change, incidents like Anjel Chakma’s murder will continue to occur, perpetuating the cycle of violence and discrimination.

The tragic death of Anjel Chakma is a stark reminder of the growing divide within India. The government’s failure to address the racial violence and discrimination faced by Northeastern students is a sign that the country’s unity is not as strong as it seems. Modi’s politics, which thrive on division and fear, have fractured the nation along ethnic and regional lines. Northeasterners, who have long struggled to be recognized as true Indians, are now facing an existential crisis, as they are increasingly treated as outsiders in their own land.

As the protests in Tripura and across the Northeast continue to demand justice for Anjel, it is clear that the BJP’s divisive politics are not only threatening the unity of the country but are also endangering the future of a generation of students who are caught in the crossfire of racism, xenophobia, and political opportunism. Until the government takes meaningful action to protect these communities and confronts the underlying racial prejudices that fuel such violence, incidents like Anjel’s murder will remain a tragic norm in India.

Dr. Patrick Austin holds a PhD in International Politics from the University of London, specializing in terrorism and counterterrorism affairs with a focus on South Asian security dynamics. Dr. Austin has worked with prominent policy institutions such as the Centre for South Asian Studies, the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, and the South Asia Institute. His work has positioned him as a leading expert in South Asian affairs, offering both theoretical and practical insights into global and regional security concerns. He can be reached by [email protected].