Northeastern women face racial harassment in South Delhi

A minor dispute over dust from an air-conditioner installation escalated into an alleged case of racial abuse and harassment against three women from Arunachal Pradesh in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar, police said on Saturday.

The incident took place on February 20 around 3.30 pm when the women, who live on the fourth floor of a rented apartment and include a UPSC aspirant , had called an electrician to install an AC. During the drilling process, dust and debris reportedly fell onto the balcony of neighbours living on the first floor, which triggered the confrontation .

According to the complainants, their neighbours Harsh Singh and his wife Ruby Jain objected to the debris and soon began hurling abuses and making derogatory and racial remarks targeting their northeastern identity. Despite the women apologising and explaining that the incident was unintentional, the argument allegedly turned personal and offensive, with the couple accusing them of being “dhandewali” (sex workers) and making humiliating comments about them running a massage parlour.

Speaking to PTI, one of the women said the couple accused them of running a massage parlour and engaging in sex work, and used racial slurs that stereotyped and generalised the Northeastern community . A purported video of the confrontation, now circulating on social media, shows Ruby Jain allegedly making sexually derogatory and prejudiced remarks , while her husband repeats claims that the women were operating a massage business from their flat, reinforcing what the complainants described as racial profiling and community-based discrimination .

The women further alleged that the abuse continued even after a police officer arrived at the spot , following a call made by the accused couple. Another neighbour from Arunachal Pradesh who attempted to defuse the situation claimed she too was threatened and verbally abused .

Police said an FIR has been registered at Malviya Nagar police station under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to insulting the modesty of a woman, criminal intimidation, promoting enmity on grounds of race and place of birth , and common intention. Section 196 , which deals with promoting hatred, is a cognisable and non-bailable offence . However, no arrests have been made so far.

Advocate Reena Rai , representing the women, said the incident highlights the persistent racial prejudice faced by people from the Northeast in the national capital. The women have demanded a formal apology , stating that the remarks were not only directed at them but were an affront to the entire Northeastern community .