AGARTALA – In a move that could redefine the legal landscape for North-East Indians, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been moved in the Supreme Court seeking the formal recognition of racial slurs as “hate crimes.” The petition follows the tragic demise of 24-year-old Anjel Chakma, a Tripura native and MBA student who succumbed to injuries after a racially motivated assault in Uttarakhand.
The Catalyst: A Life Cut Short
Anjel Chakma passed away on December 26, 2025, after battling for his life for over two weeks. The incident occurred on December 9 in Dehradun’s Selaqui area, where Chakma and his younger brother were reportedly subjected to targeted racial abuse before being brutally stabbed. The assault left Chakma with catastrophic neck and spinal injuries.
A Systemic “Pattern of Impunity”
The petition, filed by Advocate Anoop Prakash Awasthi under Article 32, highlights a critical vacuum in the Indian penal system. Key arguments presented to the apex court include:
- Lack of Recognition: Current laws, including the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), fail to recognize racial bias as an aggravating factor in criminal investigations.
- Diluted Justice: By treating racial violence as “ordinary crime,” the state effectively dilutes the constitutional gravity of these attacks, leading to a recurring pattern of impunity.
- Constitutional Breach: The plea contends that the absence of a dedicated framework violates the fundamental rights to equality (Article 14) and life (Article 21), while undermining the core value of national fraternity.
Proposed Judicial Guidelines
With legislative action currently stalled, the petitioner has urged the Supreme Court to intervene and establish interim guidelines, including:
- Strict Penalties: Categorizing racial slurs as a specific class of hate crime with mandatory sentencing.
- Specialized Enforcement: The creation of a Central Nodal Agency and dedicated “Special Police Units” in every district to monitor and investigate racial crimes.
- Institutional Awareness: Mandating educational workshops to foster social harmony and combat regional prejudice.
This legal battle marks a significant turning point for the North-East diaspora, as the Supreme Court is now tasked with addressing a long-standing legislative gap that continues to leave citizens from the region vulnerable to targeted violence.
