Rijiju vows action against content creator over alleged racial abuse of Tripura youth

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has condemned the alleged racial abuse of a youth from Tripura by a Delhi-based content creator and said the accused would be taught a “hard lesson”, as political leaders across party lines demanded action and the Tripura government moved to coordinate with Delhi Police.

The controversy erupted after a purported video of content creator Amir Shokeen allegedly making racially derogatory remarks against a youth from Tripura went viral on social media, drawing sharp criticism from across the Northeast.

According to complaints filed by political leaders and organisations in Tripura, Shokeen allegedly referred to the youth using terms such as “chinky”, “China president” and “Michael Jackson”. The video has been widely shared and criticised on social media.

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“This evil man will be punished. There was a delay in lodging the official complaint, but Delhi Police and Tripura Police will teach him a hard lesson,” Rijiju said in a post on X, adding that those who tolerate such behaviour were also responsible for the spread of hatred.

Tripura and Delhi police to work together

Amid growing outrage, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha directed the state’s Director General of Police to coordinate with Delhi Police. “Law will take its course of action,” the Chief Minister’s Office said in a post on X.

A formal complaint was lodged at the New Capital Complex police station by Suraj Debbarma, president of the Youth Tipra Federation, alleging racial harassment, cyberbullying, hate speech and defamatory remarks targeting Tripura’s indigenous communities.

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The complaint also alleged that the content creator insulted the state’s indigenous people and mocked Tripura’s historical identity, triggering resentment among various sections of society.

Rare show of political unity

The issue has prompted a rare show of unity among political rivals in the state. Tipra Motha Party founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, whose party is an ally of the BJP in Tripura, demanded immediate legal action and called the remarks an insult to the people of the state.

“Amir Shokeen has made fun of our people and even the historic name of Tripura. If this is not an insult to us, then what is?” Debbarma said, urging police to register a case and arrest the accused.

Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury of the CPI(M) also demanded “immediate, strict, and exemplary action”, describing Shokeen as a “parasitic and racist influencer” and calling for his prosecution under the law.

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Senior Congress MLA Birajit Sinha similarly condemned the alleged incident, accusing the content creator of normalising racial profiling and harassment against people from the Northeast. He urged authorities to impose the harshest possible punishment, citing past instances of racial discrimination and violence against people from the region.

The case has reignited concerns about racial stereotyping and discrimination faced by people from northeastern states, particularly in metropolitan cities, with several leaders calling for stronger action against online hate speech and cyber harassment.

(With agency inputs)