Many students had left Manipur in the aftermath of the 2023 ethnic conflict, hoping to rebuild their lives far from home. But what awaited them was a different kind of struggle. Some were subjected to derogatory nicknames like “Momo” or “Coronavirus,” mocking their appearance and culture. Others recounted being stared at, ridiculed for their accents, or mistaken for foreigners ‘Nepalese’ or ‘Ladakhi’ because of their ‘Mongoloid’ features. A common sentiment echoed in the interviews was the feeling of being perpetually watched, judged, or made to feel invisible even in public places like libraries and classrooms.

These instances are symptomatic of a deeper malaise: the systemic neglect of India’s Northeast in national consciousness. The Northeast is rarely represented in school curricula, media narratives, or mainstream cultural discourse. This invisibility fuels ignorance, which often metastasizes into prejudice and discrimination. As one student poignantly shared, “People asked where I was ‘really’ from, or commented on how different our food looked. It felt like we were exhibits in a museum.”

Yet, the story is not without hope. Many students acknowledged acts of kindness and acceptance, from supportive professors to inclusive classmates and neighbours. Some noted that their institutions were beginning to promote diversity and foster safer environments. A few believed that awareness about the Northeast was slowly improving, driven by education and increased mobility. However, none of the students felt fully at home in Chandigarh. Their roots, their language, and their identity remained anchored in Manipur. This is not merely a story of discrimination- it is a call for national introspection. The plight of Manipuri students reflects a larger pattern of internal displacement, emotional trauma, and marginalization experienced by many from the Northeast. It is high time India confronts this reality, not with token gestures, but with structural reforms and sustained empathy.Educational institutions must take the lead. Cultural orientation programs, sensitization workshops, and accessible grievance redressal systems are essential, not optional. The curriculum must be revised to represent the Northeast’s rich histories and cultures accurately and prominently. Public discourse must evolve to recognize the diversity within Indian identity as a strength, not a deviation. As a society, we must move from passive indifference to active inclusion. Unity in India cannot rest on forced uniformity; it must be nurtured through understanding, dignity, and justice. These young people from Manipur, and countless others like them, deserve to study in peace, without fear or alienation. Simultaneously, the government must intensify efforts to restore lasting peace and stability in Manipur. No student should be forced to choose between safety and home.

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