Reported by Mrinal Banik
Agartala: Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Asish Kumar Saha on Wednesday demanded the immediate enactment of a central anti-racial discrimination law to address the harassment and bias allegedly faced by people from the Northeast in metropolitan cities across the country.
Speaking to reporters in Agartala, the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee chief said students and professionals from the region frequently encounter discrimination in workplaces, educational institutions and while seeking rented accommodation in cities such as Mumbai and Delhi.
“Youngsters from the Northeast face racial discrimination in metro cities. They face problems in workplaces, accommodation and education. The All India Youth Congress has demanded that an anti-racial discrimination bill be tabled in Parliament,” Saha said.
His remarks came following a recent meeting of Northeast Congress leaders held at Indira Bhavan.
Saha also called for the constitution of a National Anti-Racial Discrimination Commission and the creation of state-specific grievance redressal cells to address complaints of racial harassment more effectively.
Referring to a recent incident in Mumbai, he alleged that nursing professionals from the Northeast were denied rented accommodation because of their racial identity.
He said such recurring incidents underline the urgent need for a dedicated legal framework to safeguard the rights and dignity of people from the Northeast living in other parts of the country.
Saha added that the Congress party would continue to press for the introduction of the proposed legislation.
The meeting of Northeast Congress leaders was chaired by Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, during which proposals for setting up a national commission and state-level anti-discrimination cells were discussed.