NEW DELHI/AGARTALA, October 22: Delhi Police have arrested social media content creator Amir Shokeen in connection with a case involving alleged racial slurs against a youth from Tripura, following widespread outrage over a viral video showing the alleged abuse.
A police team from Tripura, led by a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), has travelled to Delhi to bring Shokeen to Tripura, according to information received.
The case was registered at Sadar Bazar Police Station in Delhi under Sections 192, 196, 352 and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The controversy erupted after a video allegedly showing Shokeen making racially derogatory remarks against a youth from Tripura circulated widely on social media. The video reportedly showed the youth being mocked over his physical appearance and regional identity.
Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs took to X and said, “The man has been arrested. People who do not respect the fellow citizens and other human beings are anti-social. They have to face the law. Society also need to be more sensitive and caring.”
The incident drew condemnation from youth organisations and political leaders across the Northeast, who called for legal action and raised concerns over racial discrimination against people from the region in mainland India.
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The National People’s Youth Front (NPYF), the youth wing of the National People’s Party, had earlier condemned the alleged remarks, stating that the identity, culture and dignity of people from Northeast India must not be subjected to ridicule under the guise of humour or digital content creation.
Shokeen had reportedly issued a public apology following the backlash, claiming that the interaction was scripted. However, the apology failed to quell demands for accountability.
The arrest marks a major development in the case, which has renewed calls for action against racial harassment and discrimination targeting people from the Northeast.
Further details regarding Shokeen’s transfer to Tripura and the subsequent legal proceedings were awaited at the time of filing this report.
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