Rahul Gandhi slams BJP leadership over Tripura student's murder in Dehradun: 'Horrific hate crime'

Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has reacted to the racist attack on and murder of Tripura student Anjel Chakma in Dehradun and has called it a "horrific hate crime".

"What happened to Anjel Chakma and his brother Michael in Dehradun is a horrific hate crime." He added, "Hate doesn’t appear overnight. For years, it has been fed daily, especially to our youth, through toxic content and irresponsible stories. The ruling BJP’s leadership is making hate seem normal."

Gandhi further said that the country is built on unity and respect and not abuse and fear. His comments came after the 24-year-old man was attacked in Dehradun by six people after he objected to a racist slur. The incident happened on December 9.

On December 26, Chakma succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.

Rahul Gandhi, while further commenting on the issue, said, "We are a country of love and diversity. We must not become a society that ignores when fellow Indians are targeted. We need to think about and face what we are letting our country become."

"My thoughts are with the Chakma family and the people of Tripura and the Northeast. We are proud to call you our fellow Indian brothers and sisters." he added.

Meanwhile, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said on Sunday that Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami assured him that everyone responsible for the murder will be arrested. Thousands of students from the Tipra Indigenous Students’ Federation held a candle march on Sunday to demand justice for Angel Chakma, walking about one kilometre from the North Gate of Ujjayanta Palace.

(With PTI inputs)