The northern Indian city of Dehradun, located in the Himalayan foothills, was shaken by a violent incident weeks ago.
Brothers Anjel and Michael Chakma - students who had migrated more than 1,500 miles from the northeastern state of Tripura for studies - had gone to a market on 9 December when they were confronted by a group of men, who allegedly abused them with racial slurs, their father Tarun Chakma told the BBC.
When the brothers protested, they were attacked. Michael Chakma was allegedly struck on the head with a metal bracelet, while Anjel Chakma suffered stab wounds. Michael has recovered but Anjel died 17 days later in hospital, he says.
Police in Uttarakhand state (whose capital is Dehradun) have arrested five people in connection with the incident, but they have denied that the attack was racially motivated - a claim that Chakma's family strongly disputes.
The incident, which has triggered protests in several cities, has put the spotlight on allegations of racism faced by people from India's northeastern states when they move to larger cities for education or work. They say they are often mocked over their appearance, questioned about nationality and harassed in public spaces and workplaces.
For many, the discrimination extends beyond abuse to everyday barriers that shape where and how they live. People from the region report difficulty renting accommodation, with landlords refusing tenants because of their appearance, food habits or stereotypes.
Such pressures have led many northeastern migrants in large cities to cluster in specific neighbourhoods, offering safety, mutual support and cultural familiarity far from home.
But while many say they learn to endure everyday prejudices to build lives elsewhere in the country, violent crimes such as Anjel Chakma's killing are deeply unsettling. They reinforce fears about personal safety and a sense of vulnerability, they say.
India has seen many high-profile cases of racial violence involving people from the northeastern region over the last several years. The killing of Nido Tania in 2014 became a national flashpoint, prompting protests and widespread debate about racism after the 20-year-old student from Arunachal Pradesh state was beaten to death in Delhi following taunts about his appearance. However, activists say it did not mark an end to such violence.
After Anjel Chakma's death, calls for a specific anti-racism law have intensified. Several student and civil society groups have issued open letters demanding legal reform to tackle the ongoing issue of racial violence. Despite previous recommendations and reports acknowledging the existence of systemic racism, no specific anti-racism legislation has been enacted, leaving many feeling unprotected and marginalized.
As the family mourns, discussions about safety, belonging, and the urgent need for change continue to evolve in India's struggle against racism.
Brothers Anjel and Michael Chakma - students who had migrated more than 1,500 miles from the northeastern state of Tripura for studies - had gone to a market on 9 December when they were confronted by a group of men, who allegedly abused them with racial slurs, their father Tarun Chakma told the BBC.
When the brothers protested, they were attacked. Michael Chakma was allegedly struck on the head with a metal bracelet, while Anjel Chakma suffered stab wounds. Michael has recovered but Anjel died 17 days later in hospital, he says.
Police in Uttarakhand state (whose capital is Dehradun) have arrested five people in connection with the incident, but they have denied that the attack was racially motivated - a claim that Chakma's family strongly disputes.
The incident, which has triggered protests in several cities, has put the spotlight on allegations of racism faced by people from India's northeastern states when they move to larger cities for education or work. They say they are often mocked over their appearance, questioned about nationality and harassed in public spaces and workplaces.
For many, the discrimination extends beyond abuse to everyday barriers that shape where and how they live. People from the region report difficulty renting accommodation, with landlords refusing tenants because of their appearance, food habits or stereotypes.
Such pressures have led many northeastern migrants in large cities to cluster in specific neighbourhoods, offering safety, mutual support and cultural familiarity far from home.
But while many say they learn to endure everyday prejudices to build lives elsewhere in the country, violent crimes such as Anjel Chakma's killing are deeply unsettling. They reinforce fears about personal safety and a sense of vulnerability, they say.
India has seen many high-profile cases of racial violence involving people from the northeastern region over the last several years. The killing of Nido Tania in 2014 became a national flashpoint, prompting protests and widespread debate about racism after the 20-year-old student from Arunachal Pradesh state was beaten to death in Delhi following taunts about his appearance. However, activists say it did not mark an end to such violence.
After Anjel Chakma's death, calls for a specific anti-racism law have intensified. Several student and civil society groups have issued open letters demanding legal reform to tackle the ongoing issue of racial violence. Despite previous recommendations and reports acknowledging the existence of systemic racism, no specific anti-racism legislation has been enacted, leaving many feeling unprotected and marginalized.
As the family mourns, discussions about safety, belonging, and the urgent need for change continue to evolve in India's struggle against racism.
