Northeast Community in Pune Faces Racial Discrimination, Safety Concerns, Say Student Organisations

Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Pune, 6th November 2026: The Manipur Students’ Association, Pune (MSAP), and the North East Community Organization Pune (NECOP) have raised concerns over alleged racial discrimination, social exclusion and safety challenges faced by people from Northeast India living in Pune.

In a joint press statement issued on Friday, the organisations appealed to civil society, educational institutions, local authorities and citizens to work towards creating a safe and inclusive environment for the Northeast community.

The organisations said that despite India’s cultural diversity and the hospitality associated with the Northeast region, people from the region continue to face prejudice based on their physical appearance, cultural practices, dietary habits and lifestyles.

“While the North East region is globally celebrated for its warm hospitality, individuals from the region continue to face exclusion and prejudice within their own country,” the statement said.

Highlighting concerns over women’s safety, the organisations said that women from Northeast India were particularly vulnerable to harassment and racial profiling. They alleged that such experiences often involve restrictions on personal freedom, public scrutiny and physical harassment in public spaces.

“North Eastern women experience heightened vulnerability and harassment due to racial profiling. They face severe restrictions on their personal freedom, continuous public scrutiny, and physical harassment in public spaces,” the statement said.

The organisations also highlighted concerns over the treatment of men from the region, alleging that they face verbal abuse, racial slurs and physical harassment. They said recurring incidents of discrimination had created a sense of isolation and insecurity among community members, affecting their everyday lives.

“Despite India’s core principle of ‘unity in diversity,’ recurring instances of racial discrimination leave community members feeling isolated and unsafe in their daily lives,” the statement added.

Pune, a major educational and professional hub, attracts thousands of students and working professionals from Northeast India. However, MSAP and NECOP expressed concern that despite the city’s cosmopolitan identity, the prevailing social environment sometimes makes students and residents from the region feel alienated and unwelcome.

“Despite the city’s cosmopolitan reputation, the prevailing social climate frequently makes North Eastern students and residents feel alienated and unwelcome,” the organisations stated.

Calling for collective action, the two organisations urged citizens and institutions to challenge racial stereotypes, promote social inclusion and ensure that people from Northeast India can live, study and work in Pune with dignity, safety and respect.

“Through this press release, we call upon civil society, educational institutions, local authorities, and the general public to foster genuine inclusivity, dismantle racial stereotypes, and ensure a safe and respectful environment for all citizens,” the statement concluded.

The statement was issued by Bidyananda Huidrom, General Secretary of the Manipur Students’ Association, Pune.