Food as a Weapon
The prevalence of momos in Delhi's culinary scene, loved by many, starkly contrasts with their use as a derogatory term for individuals from Northeast
India. A recent incident involving three women from Arunachal Pradesh being verbally assaulted with such slurs underscores a pervasive racist mentality. Anthropologist Dolly Kikon's research illuminates how food, specifically from Northeast India, is often excluded from mainstream consumption in institutional settings like hostel menus and official functions. This exclusion, coupled with misrepresentation, paints a homogenized picture of Northeastern cuisine. While momos are celebrated as a regional delicacy, their widespread availability on street corners paradoxically strips away the recognition of the labor involved in their preparation. This reduction of a food item to a mere ethnic marker, divorced from the productive efforts of its makers, serves as a potent tool for humiliation and the reinforcement of stereotypes, impacting both gender and perceptions of labor.
Occupation and Social Hierarchy
The other deeply offensive slur, referencing working in a 'massage parlour for Rs 500,' exposes the problematic link between caste, ethnicity, and occupation in India. This occupational division has historically dictated social standing, with individuals from lower castes often relegated to jobs deemed inferior. Despite modernization and urban development, this hierarchical system persists. The incident highlights how women from Northeast India are perceived to occupy service roles in metropolitan areas like Delhi, jobs that are not afforded societal respect. This echoes historical caste-based slurs such as 'chamar' and 'bhangi,' which directly associate identity with menial labor. By linking occupations like selling momos and working in massage parlors, such language carries similar racist and discriminatory undertones. The inherent contradiction lies in the societal acceptance of consuming momos and receiving massages while simultaneously denigrating those who provide these services.
Economic Realities of Migration
Research by Duncan McDuie-Ra and others indicates a significant increase in migration from Northeast India to major cities like Delhi. However, this influx of labor has not consistently translated into dignified employment. While racism manifests in various forms, women from the region disproportionately face challenges, often exacerbated by the perception of their work. Occupations involving physical contact, such as massage, are unfortunately conflated with sex work, a highly stigmatized form of labor. Data from the National Data Innovation Centre (NDIC) Measurement Brief 2024 reveals that migrant women from Northeast India are primarily absorbed into the service sector, including retail and hospitality. Despite their contributions to urban economies, these jobs are often labeled as 'skill-less,' leading to a lack of dignity. This demonstrates that racism is not solely an attitudinal issue but is deeply intertwined with tangible economic and material circumstances, where labor from the Northeast is essential but its providers remain racialized.
