New Delhi : Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday strongly condemned the killing of Tripura student Anjel Chakma in Dehradun, describing it as a “horrific hate crime” and accusing the BJP of normalising hate through divisive narratives.
Gandhi’s remarks followed the brutal attack on MBA student Anjel Chakma and his brother, Michael Chakma, who were assaulted by a group of miscreants armed with knives and blunt objects in Dehradun earlier this month. Anjel Chakma succumbed to his injuries on December 9 while undergoing treatment at a hospital.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said that hate crimes do not emerge suddenly but are cultivated over time. “Hate doesn’t appear overnight. For years now it is being fed daily—especially to our youth—through toxic content and irresponsible narratives. And it’s being normalised by the hate-spewing leadership of the ruling BJP,” he wrote.
Emphasising India’s pluralistic values, Gandhi added, “India is built on respect and unity, not fear and abuse. We are a country of love and diversity. We must not become a dead society that looks away while fellow Indians are targeted. We must reflect and confront what we are allowing our country to become.”
He also expressed solidarity with the Chakma family and the people of Tripura and the Northeast, stating that they are an integral part of the Indian community.
Meanwhile, police have arrested five people in connection with the incident. Two of the accused are minors and have been sent to a juvenile reform home. Authorities are continuing raids to apprehend one absconding accused, for whom a reward of ₹25,000 has been announced. A police team has also been dispatched to Nepal to trace the suspect, according to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s Office.
Providing details of the case, Superintendent of Police (City) Pramod Kumar said the incident occurred on the evening of December 9 in the Premnagar police station area of Dehradun. Anjel Chakma and his brother, both residents near Nanda Chowki, had gone to Selaqui for some work when they reportedly got into an argument with local youths and another individual from the Northeast. The altercation escalated into a violent attack, leaving both brothers seriously injured.
Anjel Chakma later died during treatment, following which murder charges were added to the case, the police confirmed.
