’Indians don’t know how to treat their own’

Forget Australia. People from the northeast say life is tough even in Bangalore

'Indians don't know how to treat their own'

Forget Australia. People from the northeast say life is tough even in Bangalore

Indians may be victims of racial abuse elsewhere but they really are no better in their own country, say Bangalore's residents from the northeast.

"People bulls*** about global peace and other trash but don't even know how to treat their own countrymen," said Mida Pertin, an MBA student.

College student Gumin Techi agrees: "We come here with a dream, a goal to fulfil, but most of us break down because of the locals and their attitude towards us. Sometimes, people purposely try to pick a fight with us. We don't know why we are treated this way. It's sad and really frustrating."

To begin with, there's the name-calling to contend with.

"They call us 'Nepali', 'Chinki' and other names that we don't even understand. I usually fight back when they call me such names and then inform the cops about what happened," said Gumin.

Easy victims

But going to the cops is not an option for everyone.

"We are easy victims when any trouble starts even though we have nothing to do with it," said John, a Tanzanian student. And they are scared to go to the authorities since they think they will not be believed.

It doesn't end there, says John, who ends up paying more for goods and services, including rents.

"When we go to shops to buy something, the shopkeepers ignore us till there are no other customers. They make us wait and pass comments. Then, there are the autodrivers. They quote a fare but by the time we reach the destination, it would've multiplied by four. When we protest, they start speaking in a language we don't understand. These auto drivers are a bunch of racists. Whenever there is a fight, they show up out of nowhere and start screaming at us in some unknown language," said Pertin.

But one person chose to rationalise the predicament. He said racism here was rooted in history. The caste system played a major factor in education, politics, health services, occupation, locality and religion. "So long as the gap between the rich and the poor exists, so will racism," he said.

'Proud to be Indian'
But, we also came across less angry voices. Pebom Doyom, 32, who has been in Bangalore for more than 10 years, said: "Every individual has to face this situation when he/she goes to another place. I don't feel like I have been discriminated against. Only people who are illiterate tease me so I can't blame everyone. What matters is I know I am an Indian and I am proud to be an Indian. If they don't like it, I don't care."