Northeasterns Become ‘Indian’ Only When They Win Medal: Ankita Konwar

Ankita Konwar, fitness enthusiast and Milind Soman’s wife, called out ‘hypocrites’ for celebrating the win of Northeastern weightlifter Chanu Saikhom Mirabai at the Olympics. The former who hails from Assam pointed out that people are rejoicing at the victory of the athlete and otherwise subject Northeasterns to racism.

Konwar took to Twitter and wrote that someone from Northeast India, only becomes ‘Indian’ when they win a medal for the country and on usual days they are called “chinky” or “corona”.

“Otherwise we are known as “chinky” “Chinese” “Nepali” or a new addition “corona”,” the tweet read.

Asserting that she speaks from her own experience, the 29-year-old said, “India is not just infested with casteism but racism too”.

If you’re from Northeast India, you can become an Indian ONLY when you win a medal for the country.

Otherwise we are known as “chinky” “Chinese” “Nepali” or a new addition “corona”.

India is not just infested with casteism but racism too.

Speaking from my experience. #Hypocrites

— Ankita Konwar (@5Earthy) July 27, 2021

The remarks from Ankita Konwar comes just days after Chanu Saikhom Mirabai, a native of Manipur, won a historic silver medal in the ongoing Tokyo Olympics 2020.

The weightlifter opened India's medals tally on 24 July as she bagged a silver in the Women's 49kg category.

The Olympic medallist on Tuesday received a rousing reception in Imphal as she reached the city after a spectacular show in the ongoing Tokyo Games.

Northeastern women harassed in the national capital

This month, a few girls from Northeast India were reportedly sexually harassed by a group of men in Delhi's Hauz Khas area. The women documented the incident in a video, which then went viral on social media.

The girls alleged that they were asked about "their rate for sexual activities" by the accused men. When the women confronted these men, they were heard apologising for their act in the video.

Following the incident, Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal issued a notice to the Delhi Police asking them to register an FIR and start a probe.

“I saw this video on social media and was disgusted to see how the group of men were fearlessly harassing the girls,” Swati Maliwal said about the issue.