'Opened a massage parlour?' 3 northeastern women 'racially abused' by neighbours in south Delhi; video goes viral
Times of India
by TOI NEWS DESKFebruary 22, 2026
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Three women from Arunachal Pradesh have faced racial slurs and intimidation from their neighbors in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar after a dispute over repair work in their rented flat. A viral video captures the incident, where the accused woman hurlsthey are “momo” workers and question their intentions, while her husband uses derogatory language targeting the northeastern community. The women allege mental harassment, including being called “gutter-chaap” and threats to evict them due to planned repairs.
The conflict began when the women hired an electrician for AC installation, leading to dust and debris from drilling work upsetting their neighbors, Harsh Singh and his wife Ruby Jain. Initially a minor disagreement, it escalated into racial remarks, with the accused woman also flaunting her perceived social status by taunting the victims’ profession and family background. A police officer present attempted to intervene but no arrests have been made yet.
The women filed a complaint at Malviya Nagar police station, registering an FIR under sections 79, 351(2), 3(5), and 196 of the IPC. Section 196 is non-bailable and cognizable, focusing on promoting enmity based on race. The victims have demanded a formal apology, emphasizing that the remarks damaged the dignity of the northeastern community.
This incident highlights growing racial tensions in India, particularly against northeastern communities. It underscores the challenges faced by marginalized groups in urban spaces and raises concerns about communal harmony. The viral video has sparked outrage online, drawing attention to issues of discrimination and police response to such incidents.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/22/2026