Union Minister Kiren Rijiju Takes a Stand Against Racial Atrocities in Delhi
Strong Response to Racial Abuse Incident
New Delhi: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, alongside Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, declared that any form of racial abuse against individuals from the Northeast will face zero tolerance, promising decisive action against offenders.
Their statements came in response to an incident where three girls from Arunachal Pradesh were reportedly subjected to racial insults by neighbors in Malviya Nagar, South Delhi.
Rijiju emphasized that he and his office have been in constant communication with relevant authorities since the incident was reported.
"I have personally contacted the police and am monitoring the situation closely. An arrest has already been made, and we will pursue strong legal measures. We aim to ensure that no one mistreats individuals from the Northeast," he informed the media.
Khandu also took swift action, reaching out to the Delhi Police Commissioner to demand prompt and strict measures.
"The Commissioner is in direct contact with me. The accused will face legal consequences," he stated, reinforcing their commitment to the safety and dignity of the three women involved.
Rijiju noted that there have been numerous instances of violence against people from the Northeast, some resulting in fatalities, and lamented the lack of accountability in the past.
"However, the landscape has changed. We are dedicated to safeguarding our brothers and sisters from the Northeast," he asserted.
On Wednesday, a Delhi court ordered the couple accused of the racial slurs, Ruby Jain and Harsh, to be held in judicial custody for 14 days.
They appeared before Magistrate Bhanu Pratap Singh, who remanded them until March 11.
The couple was apprehended following an investigation into a complaint filed at the Malviya Nagar Police Station.
According to police reports, Ruby Jain allegedly directed abusive remarks at the three Arunachali women during a dispute regarding repair work at their rental property on February 20.
The FIR against the arrested woman includes charges under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Initially, the case was registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including criminal intimidation, insult to women's modesty, and inciting hostility between groups.