‘We are Indians too’: Arunachal girl’s emotional response to being called ‘Chinese’

In a video that has gone viral online, an Arunachal Pradesh girl has captured the hearts of netizens with her emotional response to being called Chinese. The clip shows the girl calmly explaining why being mistaken for a Chinese person makes her feel angry and hurt. She emphasizes her Indian identity, firmly informing the person questioning her that she is indeed Indian.

“Hum bhi India hai. Hum log Indian hain. Aap humko Chinese bolne se hum bohot gussa hotey hain, bohot dukhi hote hain. Humko Indian bolo. Hum India ka hai. Hum Itanagar mein rehte hai,” she states in the video. Her words, delivered with a combination of innocence and seriousness, resonated with viewers. The young girl made it clear that while a casual question may seem innocuous, it can be hurtful, especially when it reduces people from India’s Northeast to a racial stereotype.

The video has since been widely shared on Instagram and X, with many users praising the girl for her confident stance. Comments from viewers include praise for her poise, expressions of solidarity with her feelings, and reminders of her equal status as an Indian. The broader context highlights the girl's role in spotlighting the importance of recognizing the integral part that Northeast India plays in the country, with fellow citizens from this region being full-fledged citizens of India.