Catholic bishops and Christian groups condemn racist assault on women from Arunachal Pradesh in New Delhi, calling it a stain on India’s values.
Newsroom (27/02/2026 Gaudium Press) Catholic bishops and Christian rights organizations in India have strongly denounced an incident of racial and sexual abuse targeting three women from the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, describing it as a “shameful blot” on the nation’s cultural heritage and values.
In a press statement issued on Feb. 26, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) expressed deep dismay over the alleged assault that took place in New Delhi’s Malviya Nagar on Feb. 20. According to reports, the incident occurred when debris fell onto a lower floor as the women were installing an air conditioner at their rented apartment.
What followed, however, shocked many across the country: a viral video showed a couple, identified as Harsh Singh and Ruby Jain, hurling racist slurs and sexually charged insults at the women. The pair allegedly called the women “sex workers” and used the term “momos,” a widely known racial insult directed at people from India’s northeastern states due to their physical features.
The video also captured the women bravely confronting the offenders as a Delhi police officer attempted to diffuse the heated exchange. A First Information Report (FIR) has since been filed against the accused under Indian penal provisions relating to outraging a woman’s modesty and promoting enmity based on race or religion.
Church Voices Deep Concern
The CBCI described the confrontation as part of a disturbing and persistent pattern of racial discrimination faced by people from the northeast. “Such actions are unacceptable and deeply painful,” the bishops’ body said, urging both state and federal governments to strengthen public education about the cultures and traditions of India’s northeastern communities.
They further appealed for national action to build sensitivity and understanding between diverse linguistic and ethnic groups, calling inclusivity a “moral imperative for India’s unity.”
Christian Leaders Warn of Deepening Divisions
A.C. Michael, convenor of the United Christian Forum, told UCA News that such episodes of hate “tear at the fabric of India’s social harmony.” He noted a worrying increase in instances of prejudice and violence against minorities, both ethnic and religious.
Michael, who previously served on the Delhi Minorities Commission, said political leaders bear a special duty to “promote fraternity and national unity” and must avoid rhetoric that deepens communal fault lines. He also alleged that in some past instances, victims or members of marginalized Christian communities had been unfairly targeted by law enforcement instead of offenders.
Political Leaders React, Pledge Justice
Following public outrage, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta met with the victims on Feb. 25, assuring them of strict action against the accused. Gupta reaffirmed her government’s “zero tolerance” for any form of discrimination while emphasizing the administration’s responsibility to protect the dignity and safety of all residents of the capital.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu also issued a strong statement of solidarity, condemning the perpetrators’ “unacceptable” behavior. “We stand firmly with our three sisters,” Khandu declared, “and their safety, dignity, and justice remain our highest priority.”
A Recurring Problem
The New Delhi assault comes just weeks after another racially charged tragedy stirred national debate. On Jan. 8, Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old student from Tripura, died in a Dehradun hospital nearly 17 days after being attacked by a group of men. While local police denied racial motives, Chakma’s family maintained that racial prejudice played a central role in the assault that led to his death.
That tragedy sparked student protests across India and renewed calls for stronger protections for northeastern Indians—many of whom migrate to major cities for education or jobs but routinely face prejudice, profiling, and racial slurs.
Call for a More Inclusive India
Religious and civil society groups warn that such incidents reveal the fragile undercurrents of racism that still persist beneath the country’s multicultural identity. For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and allied Christian rights advocates, the Malviya Nagar case is not merely about one attack—it is a reflection of the deeper need for empathy, reform, and accountability in both public discourse and law enforcement.
“The essence of India,” the CBCI stated, “lies in its unity in diversity. Every citizen, regardless of origin, deserves respect and dignity.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCA News
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