The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a fresh attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing the party high command of arrogance and casual racism amid a row over the death of a Tripura student in a racially-charged
attack in Dehradun.
The 24-year-old Anjel Chakma, a final-year MBA student from Tripura, died after being stabbed during a racist attack in Dehradun. Anjel and his younger brother Michael were stopped by a group of men on December 9, who allegedly hurled racial slurs at them, leading to a confrontation at a local market.
Several politicians condemned the racial attack and called on Uttarakhand authorities to take strict action against the accused. Rahul Gandhi denounced the incident as a “horrific hate crime” that was normalised by the “hate-spewing leaders of the ruling BJP”.
“Hate doesn’t appear overnight. For years now it is being fed daily – especially to our youth – through toxic content and irresponsible narratives. And it’s being normalised by the hate-spewing leadership of the ruling BJP,” the Congress leader said on X.
What happened to Anjel Chakma and his brother Michael in Dehradun is a horrific hate crime.
Hate doesn’t appear overnight. For years now it is being fed daily – especially to our youth – through toxic content and irresponsible narratives. And it’s being normalised by the… pic.twitter.com/eDN7XiIGZ2
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 29, 2025
“India is built on respect and unity, not fear and abuse. We are a country of love and diversity. We must not become a dead society that looks away while fellow Indians are targeted. We must reflect and confront what we are allowing our country to become. My thoughts are with the Chakma family and the people of Tripura and North East. We are proud to call you our fellow Indian brothers and sisters,” he added.
BJP’s Counter At Rahul Gandhi
In a sharp response to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari highlighted that Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had personally spoken to Tarun Prasad Chakma, the father of the deceased student, and ensured swift action with the arrests of five suspects.
“Now contrast this with your ecosystem. Your political mentor Sam Pitroda mocked people from the North-East by calling them “Chinese”. No remorse. No correction. No action. Just arrogance and casual racism from the Congress high command’s inner circle,” he stated.
Rahul Gandhi ji,
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami personally spoke to his father, Tarun Prasad Chakma, expressed grief, and ensured swift action. Five accused have already been arrested.
Now contrast this with your ecosystem.
Your political mentor Sam Pitroda mocked people… https://t.co/1UJSXhQ9yV pic.twitter.com/VjMaX4wScW
— Pradeep Bhandari(प्रदीप भंडारी)🇮🇳 (@pradip103) December 29, 2025
These remarks were in reference to shocking remarks made by Pitroda, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi, last year when he said people in India’s East look like Chinese and those in the South like Africans. The remarks drew widespread condemnation, including from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said he would not tolerate insults directed at his fellow Indians.
“We could hold together a country as diverse as India — where people on the East look like Chinese, people on the West look like Arabs, people on the North look like maybe Whites and people in South India look like Africans. It doesn’t matter. We are all brothers and sisters,” Pitroda said in May 2024.
Continuing his attack on Rahul Gandhi, Bhandari said, “Nation is also aware how your Grandmother Late PM Indira Gandhi bombed Mizoram! Stop using an unfortunate incident for your Divisive Politics!”
Anjel Chakma was attacked on December 9 after he reportedly protested against racial slurs hurled at his brother Michael at a shop in Dehradun. He suffered severe blows to his head, neck, and back and was critically injured.
Uttarakhand Police have so far arrested five individuals in connection with the attack, including three adults, Suraj Khwas (22) from Manipur, Avinash Negi (25), and Sumit (25), along with two juveniles. Another accused is reportedly absconding in Nepal.
