The central government has taken a serious view of online harassment and racial prejudice directed toward people from the Northeast. Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju strongly condemned the alleged racial abuse of a young man from Tripura by Delhi-based content creator Amir Shokeen. Writing on his official social media handle on X, the minister confirmed that while there was a slight delay in lodging the formal complaint, law enforcement authorities are moving swiftly to hold the perpetrator accountable.
Minister Rijiju Promises Strict Legal Accountability
Expressing deep outrage over the incident, Kiren Rijiju made it clear that derogatory behavior targeting citizens on racial grounds will not go unpunished. He stated that this evil individual will face consequences, noting that although there was some procedural delay in registering the official police complaint, both Delhi Police and Tripura Police will teach him a stern lesson. The minister also emphasized societal accountability, adding that people who remain silent and tolerate such behavior are equally complicit in spreading social hatred.
Viral Video Triggers Regional Backlash
The controversy erupted after a video clip recorded by content creator Amir Shokeen circulated widely across social media networks. In the clip, Shokeen was seen subjecting a Tripura youth to humiliating remarks and racial slurs. As the footage spread online, it triggered widespread anger across the northeastern states. Citizen groups and community leaders condemned the brazen harassment, questioning the safety and dignity of individuals from the region living in metropolitan areas.
Tripura Administration Steps In With Formal Complaint
Reacting to the mounting public anger, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha intervened and instructed the state Director General of Police to coordinate directly with Delhi Police to pursue the matter. Political representatives across party lines in the state also demanded decisive action against the creator. Simultaneously, a formal complaint was lodged against Shokeen at a police station in Agartala by the Youth Tipra Federation. The complaint accuses him of racial harassment, cyberbullying, and deliberately disparaging native communities of the region.
Apology Issued As Investigation Gets Underway
Faced with growing public outrage and imminent legal trouble, Amir Shokeen deleted the offensive video from his accounts and uploaded an apology. In the new recording, he pleaded for forgiveness from the people of Tripura with folded hands, alleging that the initial clip was entirely scripted and that he never intended to hurt communal sentiments. Despite the public apology, his mobile phone remained switched off, and Delhi Police are currently investigating the circumstances of the incident.
Broader Context Of Discrimination Against Northeastern Citizens
Incidents of racial stereotyping and prejudice against people from the Northeast remain a recurring concern in urban hubs. Earlier, during an appearance on the reality television show Wheel of Fortune, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar addressed this persistent issue. Highlighting the everyday discrimination faced by individuals from the region, he cited his own makeup artist Kim and remarked that citizens from the Northeast are just as fundamentally Indian as anyone else, calling for mutual respect and equal dignity for all.
