Racial abuse against Gorkha women in Siliguri sparks protest; Police registers complaint

SILIGURI, : An incident of physical assault and racial abuse against Gorkha women students staying in a rented accommodation in the Hakimpara area of Siliguri has sparked protests and calls for action against the perpetrators.

A video of the incident, recorded by one of the victims, went viral on social media. Protests erupted from across the nation, particularly from Nepali-speaking communities and organizations.

One of the victims, R. Lama, has filed a complaint at Siliguri Police Station. Lama, who hails from Dooars, is residing in a rented accommodation on Rash Behari Sarani.

According to the police complaint, Lama and her friends, who are pursuing higher education in Siliguri, were targeted by Leela Dutta and her sister Rubi Dutta, residents of the upper floor of the same building. The sisters allegedly used a hammer to break the wooden window of the rental accommodation, leading to a confrontation. When Lama questioned their actions, the Dutta sisters allegedly abused and attacked her and her friends with the hammer. The group managed to stop the assault and protect themselves.

The complaint further states that the assailants hurled derogatory and racially charged remarks, including slurs suggesting that the victims were of lower caste Nepali origin, and accusing all lower caste Nepali people in Siliguri of being prostitutes.

On Tuesday, hundreds of members from Nepali organizations gathered at the building and demanded an apology from the Dutta sisters, but the women refused. Subsequently, a police complaint was lodged and the women were taken to the police station for questioning.

Rakesh Singh, DCP, East, said that the police will take the case seriously and urged the public not to panic but to maintain peace and harmony while allowing the law to take its course.

Darjeeling MP Raju Bista emphasized the need for a fair and thorough investigation. He urged that, if found guilty, the perpetrators should face strict legal consequences to prevent similar acts in the future. Bista also highlighted reports of threats aimed at forcing Gorkha youths out of Siliguri, and called for immediate measures to ensure their safety and security.

Darjeeling MLA Neeraj Zimba said, “As an elected MLA, I strongly condemn the vile racist and casteist abuse hurled at Miss R. Lama. This is not mere hate speech — it’s a punishable crime under the BNS and SC/ST Act. I urge the police to act swiftly and decisively.”

IGJF chief Ajoy Edwards has urged the West Bengal Assembly to introduce an Anti-Racism Bill to address rising concerns of racial discrimination against Indian Gorkhas.

GTA chief Anit Thapa has written a letter to the Police Commissioner, urging action. He wrote, “The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration condemns such hateful acts in the strongest terms. We must not allow any space in our society for racial or caste-based discrimination.” He also demanded the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Siliguri Police Commissioner C. Sudhakar informed that an ACP-ranked officer has been assigned to investigate the matter.