In a rather highly unfortunate incident, a sitting MLA from Arunachal Pradesh has faced racial discrimination. 

Ninong Ering, MLA from Pasighat West constituency in Arunachal Pradesh, was racially discriminated in the social media. 

Ninong Ering was racially discriminated by a YouTuber by the name Paras Singh. 

In his YouTube video, Paras Singh has questioned Ninong Ering’s nationality saying that the Arunachal Pradesh MLA “doesn’t look like an Indian”. 

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Paras Singh also said: “His (Ninong Ering) name does not seem like an Indian name.” 

The YouTuber also questioned Arunachal Pradesh’s affiliation towards India. 

He said: “Arunachal Pradesh is surrounded by China so people here are to large extent Chinese.” 

Paras Singh was reacting to Arunachal Pradesh MLA Ninong Ering’s letter to PM Narendra Modi seeking ban on the to-be launched game – Battlegrounds Mobile India. 

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Speaking to this correspondent, Arunachal Pradesh MLA Ninong Ering termed the remarks of the YouTuber unfortunate. 

Ninong Ering said: “It’s really unfortunate. The YouTuber seems to be a young lad and I have nothing against him. But it is really unfortunate that he doesn’t even know his country.” 

“I have always raised objections on the use Chinese products and have been demanding a total ban on China-made products including Apps,” said Ninong Ering. 

Ninong Ering also informed this correspondent that an FIR has been filed by him with the SP (Crime), Itanagar against YouTuber – Paras Singh. 

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Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has strongly condemned the incident of racial discrimination being meted out on MLA Ninong Ering on the social media. 

Chowna Mein said: “am appalled and greatly dismayed to see a recent YouTube post by one Mr Paras Singh(Bunty) where he has not only questioned the nationality of an MLA from my State of Arunachal Pradesh but also questioned the existence of our State within India.” 

“To doubt our nationality because of how we look is a problem most of us from the North East of India face regularly in the mainland. What we look like, how we dress, what we eat and how we live makes us no less Indian.” 

“We are proud to be a State in the Union of India where even in the interior most we greet each other with a ‘Jai Hind’ and primary school children even in the border villages sing ‘Saare Jahaan se Achha, Hindustan Hamara’ with pride.” 

I strongly condemn this racist and arrogant act of Mr Paras Singh (Bunty). Every Arunachalee and every right-thinking Indian must condemn such prejudiced views. He must apologise unconditionally to the people of Arunachal Pradesh,”said Deputy CM Chowna Mein. 

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Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has stated that the “social media account of the person is being thoroughly investigated for details about his activities.”

“Technical resources are being employed to gather his current whereabouts. Use of Social media should be with due caution and any infringement will lead to action as per law,” CM Pema Khandu added.

Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma has also demanded stringent action against YouTuber – Paras Singh.

Conrad Sangma said: “NE stands united & condemn comments by Mr Paras Singh. We stand in solidarity with Arunachal which is an integral part of india. Racist insinuations by Paras to the people of Arunachal must be taken to task.”

Zaheer Akram Bora is a senior copy editor with Northeast Now with over 10 years of experience in the field of journalism. He can be reached at [email protected]