Assam, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the people of the northeast were “more Indian than anyone in this country”
GUWAHATI: Slamming a reality TV show host for making allegedly racist remarks about a contestant from Assam, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the people of the northeast were “more Indian than anyone in this country” and that racism should be condemned “unequivocally”.
A video clip of the dance reality show on a national channel had gone viral on social media on Monday. The host is purportedly seen as introducing a contestant from Guwahati in gibberish, seemingly Mandarin.
After being alerted to the social media storm, Sarma said, “This is happening with the people of northeast India frequently. Certain celebrities think that we are Chinese…and are really contemptuous of our people and citizens. I hope that these things are not repeated, and people of northeast India are treated with respect. We are proud Indians. We would like to convey this message to the entire nation, loud and clear.”
In the 40-second video clip, the host purportedly says, “People might not be able to understand her Chinese, but they surely understand her dance.”
The third season of the show, which went on air earlier this year, concluded last month.
Special DGP LR Bishnoi urged the cyber cell to take cognisance of the matter.
All Assam Students’ Union (Aasu) chief adviser Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharjya tweeted, “We have time and again been treated as objects of ridicule for not looking ‘Indian’ enough. Discrimination based on racial profiling is tormenting.”
The show host has shared a video on his Instagram handle, expressing regret for the remarks and clarifying that he was merely playing along with the contestant.
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Assam, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the people of the northeast were “more Indian than anyone in this country” GUWAHATI: Slamming a reality TV show host for making allegedly racist remarks about a contestant from Assam, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the people of the northeast were “more Indian than anyone in this country” and that racism should be condemned “unequivocally”. A video clip of the dance reality show on a national channel had gone viral on social media on Monday. The host is purportedly seen as introducing a contestant from Guwahati in gibberish, seemingly Mandarin. After being alerted to the social media storm, Sarma said, “This is happening with the people of northeast India frequently. Certain celebrities think that we are Chinese…and are really contemptuous of our people and citizens. I hope that these things are not repeated, and people of northeast India are treated with respect. We are proud Indians. We would like to convey this message to the entire nation, loud and clear.” In the 40-second video clip, the host purportedly says, “People might not be able to understand her Chinese, but they surely understand her dance.” The third season of the show, which went on air earlier this year, concluded last month. Special DGP LR Bishnoi urged the cyber cell to take cognisance of the matter. All Assam Students’ Union (Aasu) chief adviser Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharjya tweeted, “We have time and again been treated as objects of ridicule for not looking ‘Indian’ enough. Discrimination based on racial profiling is tormenting.” The show host has shared a video on his Instagram handle, expressing regret for the remarks and clarifying that he was merely playing along with the contestant. FacebookTwitterLinkedinEMail