SHILLONG: The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) on Monday sought the intervention of Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar for urging the Centre to enact a comprehensive National Anti-Discrimination Law to curb racial abuse and violence against people from Northeast India.
“We have requested that immediate steps be taken to address the growing incidents of discrimination faced by the people of Northeast India across the country, and to enact a comprehensive National Anti-Discrimination Law to ensure their safety, dignity, and protection,” JSU adviser A Suchiang said after the memorandum was received by the Principal Secretary to the Governor.
He said incidents such as the killing of Nido Tania, injustice to Angel Chakma, and recent abuse of three Arunachal Pradesh women show a “systemic issue” that constitutional guarantees under Articles 14 and 15 have not stopped.
“Equality is not a privilege — it is a constitutional right. Justice delayed is justice denied,” Suchiang said.
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The union proposed graded punishments for racially motivated offences — up to six months for verbal abuse, three years for assault, and life or death where attacks cause fatalities — and called for urgent central action to ensure safety and dignity for Northeastern citizens nationwide.
“We proposed that a National Anti-Discrimination Law should include strong and specific provisions to deter such acts and deliver justice effectively. These include: Verbal racial abuse or the use of racial slurs should be punishable with imprisonment of up to 6 months along with a fine. Physical assault motivated by racial hatred should be punishable with imprisonment of up to 3 years along with a fine. Murder or fatal attacks driven by racial hatred should attract the gravest penalties, including life imprisonment or even the death penalty, depending on the severity of the offence,” Suchiang said.
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“We firmly believe that such a law will not only act as a deterrent but will also send a strong message that discrimination and racism have no place in our diverse and democratic nation. We urge the Government of India to act decisively and uphold the constitutional promise of equality, dignity, and justice for all citizens, including those from the Northeast,” he concluded.