Dear mainland Indians,
We, the people of the Northeast, are not your jokes, not your stereotypes, and not your slurs. We are not โspa-wali,โ not โmomo-wali,โ and never objects of exploitation. We are Indiansโborn of this land, bound by its Constitution, and equal in dignity, identity, and rights.
Our faces may look different, our cultures may be distinct, but our patriotism is no less, our pain is no less, and our belonging is unquestionable. Respect us. Recognize us. We are India. ๐ข๐