The Newshour Debate: Racist Shame - Full Debate (16th Oct 2014)

In another instance of violence against Northeastern people, three youth from Nagaland were allegedly thrashed and injured by eight persons for refusing to have drinks with the attackers at Sikenderpur in Gurgaon Wednesday (Oct. 14) night. While two Naga youths sustained severe injuries on different parts of their bodies, the other suffered minor injuries. One of them identified as James, a call centre employee, had his hair cut by the attackers, police said. According to the Station House Officer of DLF Phase 1 Police Station, the James, his call centre colleague, whose name was not disclosed by police, and Aayug, an unemployed youth were living in a rented room at Sikenderpur. Eight youth belonging to Sikenderpur village got into a heated argument with them when the trio refused to have drink with them. They then beat up the Naga youth and cropped Jamess hairs, he said. The Naga youth were admitted in Gurgaon Civil Hospital where they underwent a medical examination this morning, said the SHO. James, alias Alato, has been referred to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi for further treatment. The police lodged an FIR on the basis of the medical report and the victims' statements. The SHO said some of the culprits have been identified and "we would soon arrest all of them." Expressing concern over growing incidents of assault on northeastern people, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said he would take up the issue with concerned state governments, particularly Karnataka where three northeastern students were assaulted for not speaking in Kannada, for strict action against the culprits. "I will talk to the Karnataka Chief Minister. Action should be taken. No one can discriminate against anyone on the basis of caste, creed and sect," Singh told reporters in Manesar near Gurgaon. The Home Ministry wrote to Haryana government seeking a report on the incident and the steps taken to apprehend the accused. In a communication to Haryana government, the Home Ministry said steps should be taken immediately against the guilty and the report detailing the incident should be sent as early as possible.
In a debate moderated by TIMES NOW's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, panelists -- Priyanka Chaturvedi, Spokesperson, Congress; Nupur Sharma, Member Natl Exceutive, Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha; Binalaxmi Nepram, Social Activist; Dr Alana Gonmei, Founding Member & Secy, North East Support Centre and Helpline; Rahul Easwar, Social Activist; Ritabrata Banerjee, MP Rajya Sabha, CPI (M) -- discuss whether #RacistShame is a big blot on urban India.