Racial Abuse Against Students in Siliguri Sparks Nationwide Protests; Two Detained

KalimNews, Siliguri, Aug 5, 2025 : The incident of racial abuse and physical assault against female students from the hills and Dooars region in Siliguri has sparked widespread outrage, triggering protests across Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and other areas. On Monday, a video showing the confrontation between two women, Leela Dutta and Ruby Dutta, and the students went viral, causing an uproar. The two women were detained by Siliguri police on Tuesday, following escalating protests and calls for justice from local and national political leaders.

The incident occurred at Hakimpara, Siliguri, where five female college students had been renting a floor in a multi-storey building, owned by Pankaj Thakur, for a month. The students, who are from the Dooars region, had moved to Siliguri to prepare for competitive exams. However, their stay soon turned contentious, as they were allegedly harassed by Leela and Ruby Dutta, tenants living on the upper floors of the building.

According to police sources, the trouble began when the Dutta sisters allegedly attempted to close the students' windows using nails without the landlord's permission. When the students resisted, the situation escalated, with the Dutta sisters allegedly subjecting them to verbal abuse, physical assault, and racial slurs. The altercation reached its peak on Monday afternoon when the students were reportedly assaulted and verbally abused after confronting the sisters over the window issue.

One of the students, Disha Thapa, recounted the harassment, saying, "We came to study but faced harassment every day." Meanwhile, Leela Dutta, one of the accused, claimed that the students attacked them first. The confrontation was recorded by one of the victims, and the video quickly spread across social media, fueling further outrage.

Prominent political leaders, including BJP MP Raju Bista, Darjeeling MLA Neeraj Zimba, Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) Chief Executive Anit Thapa, former GTA Chief Executive Binoy Tamang, and Congress leader Munish Tamang condemned the incident, labeling the actions as racial and derogatory. These leaders, along with others, have demanded swift legal action against the perpetrators. The video, along with statements from the victims and local political figures, led to protests across the hills and various parts of India, particularly from Nepali-speaking people and organizations.

Siliguri Police Commissioner C. Sudhakar called for calm and assured that an officer of the rank of Additional Commissioner of Police had been assigned to investigate the matter. He also requested the public to allow law enforcement to handle the situation in accordance with the law.

The police filed a complaint based on the students’ accounts, and the two sisters were brought in for questioning. Ronita Lama, one of the students and a resident of Lankapara TE, filed an FIR against the two women, stating that she belongs to the ST community and that the assault and verbal abuse were derogatory, with hateful words directed at her and her community. Lama requested that the accused be punished under the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) provisions. Despite the protests outside the house and demands for an apology from the accused, the Dutta sisters reportedly refused to apologize. The police assured the public that the case would be handled firmly and peacefully.

In the wake of the incident, BJP MP Raju Bista called for a thorough and fair investigation. He emphasized that if the accused were found guilty, they should face strict legal consequences to prevent similar incidents in the future. "I trust your esteemed office will take swift and decisive action to address this matter with the seriousness it deserves," Bista said in his appeal.

Darjeeling MLA Neeraj Zimba also strongly condemned the abuse, stating, "This is not mere hate speech; it’s a punishable crime under the BNS & SC/ST Act. I urge the police to act swiftly and decisively."

Ajoy Edwards, President of the Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF), took to social media to demand the introduction of an Anti-Racism Bill in the West Bengal Assembly. He called for legislative measures to address the rising concerns of racial discrimination against Indian Gorkhas. Edwards stressed that Gorkhas are Indian citizens who have lived in the country for generations and have served in the military, public services, and other sectors. He further compared the emotional distress faced by the Gorkha community to the anger felt by Bengalis when wrongly labeled as Bangladeshis.

Meanwhile, Anit Thapa, GTA Chief Executive, also wrote to the Police Commissioner, condemning the racial abuse. He emphasized that the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration would not tolerate such hateful actions and urged the authorities to ensure the perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted. "We must not allow any space in our society for racial or caste-based discriminations," Thapa said in his letter.

Munish Tamang expressed his concerns over the racial and casteist attack, stating, "The racial and casteist attack on a young girl of the ST community in Hakimpara of Siliguri is disturbing. The attackers also cast aspersions on the character of the victim and used objectionable words against her and her entire community. Such attacks driven by prejudice have no place in our society. The girl has already written to the police and a copy is available in the public domain. I urge the police to take appropriate and prompt action on the matter."

As the investigation progresses, the community remains united in its demand for justice, while the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized groups in the region.