Lok Sabha Question No. 5219 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Discrimination against North-Eastern Persons
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Gaurav Gogoi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5219

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 24 TH  MARCH, 2026/ CHAITRA 3, 1948 (SAKA)

## DISCRIMINATION AGAINST NORTH-EASTERN PERSONS

5219. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognizance  of  incidents  of  hate speech, racial slurs, harassment and discrimination against persons from the North-Eastern States reported from various parts of the country during the last five years;

(b) whether the Government maintains data on complaints, FIRs registered, cases investigated and action taken in such instances, if so, the details thereof, year and State-wise;

- (c)  the specific measures taken to prevent such incidents, ensure timely registration of cases and provide protection and redressal to victims; and
- (d) whether  the Government  proposes  to  strengthen  existing legal, institutional or awareness mechanisms to address racial discrimination and promote social inclusion of people from the North-Eastern region?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) to (d): 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule  to the Constitution of India. The  State  Governments  are responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation of crime and for prosecuting the criminals through their law enforcement agencies.

National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles and publishes information on Crimes, received from States/Union Territories, in its publication "Crime in  India".  The  published  reports  are  available  till  the  year  2023.Data  on incidents  of  hate  speech,  racial  slurs,  harassment  and  discrimination against persons from the North-Eastern States is not maintained centrally. There are provisions under the existing laws to take action against hate comments/ gestures and racial acts against the persons, including those from North-Eastern Region.

The  Government  of  India  has  taken  various  steps  to  ensure  safety  and security of people from North-Eastern Region residing in different parts of India  such  as  issuance  of  advisories  to  the  States/  UT  Governments regarding action plan for providing security to people from North-Eastern Region,  appointment  of  Nodal  Officers  in  States/UTs  to  address  the grievances  of  people  from  the  North-Eastern  Region,  sensitization  of enforcement agencies to take appropriate action in case of harassment, setting up of Special Police Unit for North East Region (SPUNER) in Delhi Police, launching of special helpline numbers and dedicated email ID  for lodging complaint/ grievances by NE people, etc.

The Chief Secretaries, Administrators and DGPs of all States/ UTs have also been  advised  to  sensitize  police  personnel  in   their  States  about

-3L.S.US.Q.NO. 5219 FOR 24.03.2026

relevant legal provisions available in cases of racial discrimination against the persons of North-East and to replicate the best practices undertaken by Delhi Police in their respective States/UTs. Moreover,  pursuant  to  judgement  dated  14.12.2016  of  Hon'ble  Supreme Court of India in the W.P. (Civil) No. 103 of 2014, a three-member Monitoring Committee  has  been  set  up  by  the  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  with  two members  and  one  special  invitee  belonging  to  North  East  Region  for monitoring of issues and  redressal of grievances  relating to racial discrimination faced by people from North-East residing in different parts of the country. Meetings of the Committee are held regularly. ******