Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on February 22 came out strongly against a reported racial abuse incident in Delhi, saying “discrimination against northeast people must stop.” The remarks followed an alleged confrontation on February 20 in Malviya Nagar between three women from Arunachal Pradesh, including a UPSC aspirant, and their neighbours, identified as Harsh Singh and Ruby Jain.
According to the complainants, the dispute began at about 3.30 pm on February 20 when an electrician drilling to install an air conditioner in the women’s rented flat caused dust and debris to fall onto the balcony below. The women say they apologised immediately and explained the mess was unintentional, but the exchange quickly turned acrimonious.
One of the women told reporters, “It was a minor issue. We apologised and explained it wasn’t intentional. But instead of stopping there, they began hurling insults.” The complainants allege the couple then made repeated remarks targeting their northeastern identity and accused them of being “illiterate,” engaging in “dhandhebazi” for Rs 500, and running a massage parlour from their home.
A purported video of the confrontation, which has circulated on social media, captures heated exchanges. In the clip, Ruby Jain is heard allegedly making derogatory references to sex work and asking whether the women had “opened a massage parlour at home.” Harsh Singh is also heard making similar allegations. The women say the abuse escalated when they protested-one alleging a sexually explicit remark involving her husband-and that another neighbour from Arunachal who intervened was threatened and told she would be made to “strip and dance.”
The situation reportedly worsened after the couple called the police. The complainants contend that racial slurs continued even in the presence of an officer, who is seen in the video attempting to calm the situation. They also said the couple falsely accused them of caste-based discrimination, a claim the women deny.
Delhi Police confirmed an FIR at Malviya Nagar police station under Sections 79 (word intended to insult a woman’s modesty), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 3(5) (common intention) and 196 (promoting enmity on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc.) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Section 196 is a cognizable and non-bailable offence. As of now, no arrests have been reported.
The women have demanded a formal apology, saying the alleged remarks were not just personal insults but an affront to the entire northeastern community. The episode adds to a string of reported racial incidents involving northeastern residents in Delhi and has reignited questions about urban prejudice, institutional response and the everyday insecurities faced by citizens living far from home.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/meghalaya/story/discrimination-against-northeast-must-stop-meghalaya-cm-conrad-sangma-reacts-to-delhi-racial-abuse-row-1350170-2026-02-22?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-02-22 22:38:00
