Friday World | December 29, 2025
→ The Incident – What Happened on That Fateful Evening?
On the evening of December 9, 2025, 24-year-old Angel Chakma, a final-year MBA student from Tripura's Unakoti district (originally from Nandanagar, near Debram Thakur Para), went to a local market in the
Selaqui (Selakui) area of Dehradun, Uttarakhand, along with his younger brother Michael Chakma to buy household groceries. A group of intoxicated local youths allegedly began hurling racial slurs at the brothers, calling them "Chinese", "Chinki", "Nepali", "Momo", and other derogatory terms due to their Northeast Indian features. When Angel calmly objected and said,
"We are not Chinese
– we are Indians", the argument escalated into a violent attack. The assailants used
knives , a metal bracelet (kada) for blows to the head, and other weapons. Angel suffered severe injuries to his head, neck, back, and spine while trying to protect his brother. He was rushed to
Graphic Era Hospital, where he fought for his life in the ICU for over two weeks (approximately 16-17 days) before succumbing to his injuries on December 26, 2025 (some reports mention December 25).
→ Brother Michael's Heartbreaking Account Michael, who was also assaulted, later shared in media interviews: "We were scared. We only protested because they kept calling us Chinese repeatedly. Angel said
– 'We are also Indians and we love our country.' But they didn't listen. My brother saved my life, but he couldn't save his own." He questioned: "We are from Tripura, but we are Indians. We have never harmed anyone. Then why were we beaten for being called Chinese? If we are not Indian, then what are we? Is coming to North India for studies a crime?"
→ Police Action and Arrests
Dehradun Police registered an FIR based on Michael's complaint, initially under sections for assault and grievous hurt. After Angel's death, murder charges were added (under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita).
→ Five accused have been arrested:
Avinash Negi (25),
Suraj Khawas (21, originally from Manipur)
Sumit Kumar (25),
Shaurya (18), and
Ayush Badoni (18). Two of them are minors and have been sent to a juvenile home.
→ The main accused, Yagya Awasthi (a Nepali national in some reports), remains absconding – police teams have been sent to Nepal to trace him, with a reward announced. The case is being treated as a potential hate crime motivated by racial prejudice, though some police statements note that conclusive evidence of racial motive is still under investigation.
→Michael's Pain and the Broader Issue Michael's statements highlight a recurring problem: Northeast Indian students often face discrimination in other parts of India
– denial of rented accommodation, taunts in markets/universities, and being labeled as "foreigners" or "Chinese." This incident has once again exposed the deep-rooted ignorance and prejudice against India's diverse communities from the Northeast.
→ Nationwide Outrage and Protests Angel's death sparked massive protests in Tripura (candle marches in Agartala with slogans like
#JusticeForAngelChakm
as well as in Delhi, Guwahati, Kolkata, and Dehradun. Student organizations demanded a
national law against racial hate crimes
Tripura CM Manik Saha spoke with Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, who assured swift justice and strict action. Dhami also personally spoke to Angel's father (a BSF jawan) and expressed grief. Political leaders like Rahul Gandhi called it a "horrific hate crime" and blamed years of normalized hatred. Other voices, including from Tipra Motha and various student bodies, condemned it as an attack on India's unity.
→ A Call for Justice and Unity Angel Chakma's death is not just the loss of a promising young student – it has become the voice of thousands from the Northeast who face similar discrimination daily. As Michael said:
"I want my brother's death not to go in vain. At least now, people should understand that we are also Indians and have equal rights in this country."
May Angel's soul rest in peace, and may his family receive swift justice. This tragedy reminds us that India's true strength lies in its diversity – hatred and ignorance must be eradicated for real unity.
Sajjad Ali Nayani ✍🏼
Friday World | December 29, 2025
