Angel Chakma, a 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura, passed away on December 26, 2025, after succumbing to injuries from an alleged racially motivated attack in Dehradun.
The incident occurred on December 9 at a canteen in Selaqui, where Angel and his brother, Michael, were allegedly targeted with derogatory slurs. When they asserted their Indian identity, a group of men assaulted them with blunt objects and knives.
Five suspects have been arrested, while the prime accused, Yagya Awasthi, remains at large. This tragedy has sparked nationwide outrage, with stakeholders demanding stricter anti-racial laws to protect students from the Northeast.
Police Deny Racial Motive
In a significant update, the Uttarakhand Police have refuted the allegations of a racial angle in the death of Angel Chakma.
Senior officials told the media that their investigation into the Selaqui canteen brawl suggests the clash was a spontaneous confrontation triggered by a dispute over seating and food service rather than planned xenophobia.
According to the police, statements from witnesses and initial findings do not substantiate the claims of racial slurs being used during the scuffle. While the victim’s family continues to maintain that the attack was identity-based, the authorities have categorised the tragedy as a fallout of a sudden, heated argument.
“They didn’t know each other beforehand, they had no such intention, nor had there ever been any fight or argument between them. The fight broke out between strangers, and one of the boys from the northeast himself admitted during interrogation that the comments were not directed at anyone else; they were simply making those remarks among themselves in jest,” NDTV quoted the cops.
Who Was Angel Chakma?
Angel Chakma was a final-year MBA student residing in Dehradun for his higher education. Hailing from Nandanagar in Tripura, he was known among his peers as a calm and friendly individual who had recently secured a job offer.
As the son of a BSF jawan, Angel held a deep sense of patriotism, which was tragically reflected in his final confrontation.
His family describes him as a protective elder brother who stood his ground with dignity. His death has not only devastated his family but has also turned him into a symbol of the struggle against regional prejudice.
What Happaned
The tragedy unfolded during a routine grocery run when a group of intoxicated men allegedly stopped the brothers and hurled slurs like “Chinese” and “Momo.”
When Angel firmly replied, “We are not Chinese, we are Indians,” the verbal abuse escalated into a brutal physical assault. Angel was struck with sharp weapons and a metal “kada,” causing severe neurological trauma, spinal injuries, and right-side paralysis.
He battled for his life at Graphic Era Hospital for 17 days before passing away. His brother, Michael, also sustained injuries but survived the harrowing encounter, which has now been classified as murder.
“I am an Indian”
The most haunting aspect of this tragedy lies in Angel Chakma’s final assertion of his identity. Moments before the physical assault began, he reportedly looked at his attackers and firmly stated, “We are not Chinese. We are Indians. What certificate should we show to prove that?”
This courageous stand for dignity served as the catalyst for the escalation, as the mob targeted him for challenging their xenophobic taunts. Angel’s actions were those of a protector, stepping in to shield his younger brother from a barrage of blows, ultimately paying the highest price for defending his heritage.
Police Action
Dehradun Police initially faced criticism for a perceived delay in filing the FIR, which allegedly allowed the main suspect to flee. Following the student’s death, SSP Ajai Singh confirmed that murder charges under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita have been added to the case.
Five individuals, including two juveniles, are currently in custody. A special investigation team is tracking the primary accused, Yagya Awasthi, who is suspected to have crossed the border into Nepal.
A reward of ₹25,000 has been announced for information leading to his arrest, as raids continue across multiple locations.
Racism Debate Reinvigorated
The incident has reignited the intense debate regarding the “M.P. Bezbaruah Committee” recommendations for a dedicated anti-racial violence law. Civil society groups and student organisations argue that current legal provisions are insufficient to address the unique xenophobia faced by Northeast citizens.
Protesters have pointed out that despite being “patriotic Indians,” individuals from the frontier states are often treated as foreigners in their own country.
The Chakma Development Foundation of India has appealed to the Home Ministry for a fast-track trial, highlighting that such “ideological illnesses” require systemic legal intervention and nationwide sensitisation.
Political Outrage
Political leaders across the spectrum have condemned the killing, with Rahul Gandhi calling it a “horrific hate crime” resulting from normalised hatred.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha coordinated with Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami to ensure a rigorous probe, while the Uttarakhand government announced financial assistance of ₹4.12 lakh for the family.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasised that racism has no place in a diverse India, describing it as a blow to humanity. Meanwhile, opposition leaders have questioned the safety of students in BJP-ruled states, demanding that the Centre enact a standalone law against racial discrimination.
Allegations of Police Delay
The victim’s father, Tarun Prasad Chakma, has raised serious allegations regarding the conduct of the Dehradun police following the assault.
He claimed that when the family initially approached the Selaqui police station to report the brutal stabbing, officials refused to file an FIR, reportedly dismissing the violent confrontation as a “minor matter.”
This alleged three-day delay is believed to have provided a critical window for the prime suspect, Yagya Awasthi, to evade capture and flee toward the Nepal border. The family maintains that the case was only formalised after significant pressure from student unions and senior administrative interventions.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The death of Angel Chakma is a profound tragedy that reflects a failure of our social fabric. It is a reminder that kindness and empathy must be the foundation of our coexistence. No student should fear for their life because of how they look or where they come from.
At The Logical Indian, we stand for a society where dialogue replaces prejudice and harmony silences hate. We must move beyond mere condolences and work towards an India that truly embraces its diversity.
