Two individuals, Suraj Gupta and Amrit Vishwakarma, have been arrested following a reported racial attack on a woman doctor from Nagaland at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Gorakhpur. This incident has highlighted ongoing safety concerns for healthcare workers and the persistent discrimination faced by individuals from Northeast India. The doctor, a third-year resident in obstetrics and gynaecology, submitted a complaint alleging stalking, racial slurs, and physical assault that occurred while she was returning from a mall on the evening of the incident.
According to her account, the doctor was pursued by three men for over a kilometer, during which they verbally assaulted her with obscene and racially derogatory remarks. One of the perpetrators reportedly inappropriately touched her. The National Federation of Resident Doctors of AIIMS and INIs (NAFORD) took to social media to condemn the attack, labeling it a deeply traumatic experience and expressing concerns over the safety of resident doctors influenced by racial and ethnic stereotypes tied to the victim’s North Eastern heritage.
NAFORD detailed that upon confronting her harassers, the doctor was further threatened; one assailant attempted to intimidate her by removing his shirt, while another reportedly slapped her on the buttocks near an army camp by AIIMS Gate No. 2. The federation emphasized the profound shock, humiliation, and trauma faced by the doctor, stating that she, as a healthcare professional dedicated to women’s health, experienced a violation of personal safety right outside her workplace.
The police have filed a case against the accused under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including those pertaining to assault with the intent to outrage modesty, obscene acts, and criminal intimidation. Authorities reported that the doctor raised an alarm during the harassment, prompting the assailants to flee. Although she did not sustain physical injuries, this incident has exacerbated discussions regarding the vulnerability of professionals from Northeast India employed across mainland India, underlining the ongoing challenges of racism and security faced by these individuals.
