Coronavirus
Footballer Oinam Devi condemns racial attacks on Indians from North East
Amid the issues that Indian has been facing during COVID-19 pandemic there have been reports emerging that North East Indians are being racially discriminated.
India is facing an unprecedented health crisis. The country has been locked down to avoid the spread of the coronavirus and bring in control the number of patients affected by the virus.
The country is also dealing with the issue of migrant workers and labourers. They have been rendered without any work as factories, production units and other works have been come to a halt. They have been left with no money to support themselves or their families.
Economy is also taking a beating.
Amid all these issues there have been reports emerging that North East Indians are being racially discriminated. The people from North East residing in other parts of the country are being called “Corona”, “Chinese”, “Chinki”.
According to a report published in Deccan Herald a study by Rights and Risk Analysis Group (RRAG), among the 22 cases studied, the report highlighted four such alleged racial attacks. Badminton star Jwala Guta recently penned an article for The Indian Express narrating her experience with trolls and being racially abused. She too have been labeled “China ka maal”, “half Chinese” and “Chinki”.
Twitter handle Women's Football India (@WomensFootieIND) has sent out a strong message against this malpractice. They have tweeted about the same.
Day 18
We’re taking a break from #WindingTheCLockdown to address an important issue. In the last few weeks, we’ve seen several attacks on North-Eastern Indians. There is never an excuse for racism. Let’s stand united and #DistanceTheHate.#HerGameToo pic.twitter.com/7Es9IyTvHi
— Women's Football India (@WomensFootieIND) April 11, 2020
The tweet mentions a woman sports personality from North East India. Oinam Bembem Devi, a footballer who hails from Manipur and is a Padma Shri and Arjuna awardee. The tweet states that "Oinam Bembem Devi is not a 'CHINKI'".
Clearly, the issue is serious and it should be addressed immediately.
Also Read: When crisis strikes, we can either sit back or do our part, says footballer CK Vineeth
