The tragic death of Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura, has sparked nationwide outrage and raised serious questions about racism in India. The student died on December 26 after being stabbed in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, following an argument over alleged racial slurs on December 9.
However, Uttarakhand Police claim they found no evidence of racial motivation behind the attack. This statement has faced strong criticism from the victim’s family and civil society activists.
What Happened on December 9?
| Event Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | December 9, 2025 |
| Location | Near liquor shop, Selakui, Dehradun |
| Victims | Anjel Chakma and his brother Michael |
| Alleged Slurs | Called “Chinese momo” |
| Weapons Used | Knives and blunt objects |
| Death Date | December 26, 2025 |
Anjel and Michael Chakma went to buy groceries when they encountered a group of drunk men near a liquor shop. Furthermore, reports indicate that one of the accused, Suraj from Manipur, was celebrating his son’s birthday at the location.
According to Michael’s statement to police, the group started using racial slurs, calling them “Chinese” and “Chinese momo.” When the brothers objected to these derogatory remarks, a violent fight broke out. Consequently, Michael was hit on the head, and Anjel was stabbed in the neck and abdomen.
Police Response and Controversy
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dehradun, Ajay Singh, stated that preliminary investigations found no evidence of racial remarks. Moreover, he said he made the derogatory comments as a joke within the group and that they created a false impression.
“It doesn’t fall into the category of a racist comment because a young man involved in the incident is also a resident of the same state,” Singh told media outlets.
Additionally, the officer rejected allegations that police did not file an FIR promptly. He clarified that the complaint was filed 24 hours after the incident. Nevertheless, the victim’s father, Tarun Chakma, a Border Security Force soldier, alleged that police initially refused to register his complaint.
Family’s Strong Rejection
Momen Chakma, Anjel’s uncle, strongly rejected the police’s version of events. He told NDTV, “When they went to the market to buy some things, some people, who were already drunk, made some comments, like calling them Chinese. Uttarakhand Police said this is not racism, but it is indeed a case of racism.”
Furthermore, he emphasized, “No one tried to save them” during the brutal attack.
Arrests Made
Current Status:
- Five people arrested (including two minors sent to juvenile reform home)
- One accused from Manipur
- One from Bhoksa community
- One Nepali-origin accused remains absconding
- None have criminal records
Police have not yet established who exactly stabbed Anjel. The arrested accused claim the absconding person carried out the stabbing.
Political Reactions
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed dismay and anger over the incident, calling racism “a very big disease” that has no place in India. He stated that the Uttarakhand government is taking tough actions against the culprits.
Meanwhile, the Congress criticized the ruling BJP, with leader Shama Mohamed questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the matter.
Demands for Justice
The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) has demanded capital punishment for the assailants. Additionally, they submitted a memorandum to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister seeking an anti-racism act and establishment of a special police station to handle discrimination cases against people from the Northeast.
Anjel Chakma died protesting till the end that he, like his attackers, was Indian. His death has exposed the urgent need to address racism and discrimination against people from Northeast India across the country.
