Belonging from Assam, situated in the north-eastern part of the country and having almost spent two years in the capital now, with one thing that I have always come across is the use of the word ‘chinki’. Be it some of my close friends and others with whom I have been closely associated with nobody have refrained from using this particular term. During my initial days in Delhi when I was beginning to bud up in the region and make new friends from this region as well as other parts of the country, they always enquired about one common thing, “Aap Assam se ho na, waha pe chinkiya bohut hain na??” I being a mere beginner in the place had no idea what they were implying at, however soon I got hold of what their commonly used term pointed out.
When with a gang of friends we often tend to call each other with various names and sometimes even racial, however so as long as we don't mean it in a serious defamatory manner, it doesn't matter much. But the attitude of some is certainly spurious and stereotyped. I have even come across people utter, “I heard that chinkis are really very much easy going” and other vulgar chattel.
However, apart from the above mentioned idiotic attitude the prime objective of this piece of writing is to make aware why one should refrain from using this term and what might be the consequences if used.
Very few people are aware that, early is 2012 the Ministry of Home Affairs asked all the states and union territories to book anyone who commits an act of atrocity against people from North East under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. In the later course of time, the term ‘chinki’ was made officially derogatory and illegal and anybody found in engaging such act will have to face the law which might land the fellow behind the bars for 5 years. Many might argue that jail for 5 years is a too harsh punishment, for simply using a racial term. But, when there’s an attack on a person’s integrality and dignity, law must intervene to protect it, after all if not stopped now today’s racial discrimination might turn into tomorrows more serious crime and violence. So, next time beware and think twice before addressing someone ‘chinki’.
When with a gang of friends we often tend to call each other with various names and sometimes even racial, however so as long as we don't mean it in a serious defamatory manner, it doesn't matter much. But the attitude of some is certainly spurious and stereotyped. I have even come across people utter, “I heard that chinkis are really very much easy going” and other vulgar chattel.
However, apart from the above mentioned idiotic attitude the prime objective of this piece of writing is to make aware why one should refrain from using this term and what might be the consequences if used.
Very few people are aware that, early is 2012 the Ministry of Home Affairs asked all the states and union territories to book anyone who commits an act of atrocity against people from North East under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. In the later course of time, the term ‘chinki’ was made officially derogatory and illegal and anybody found in engaging such act will have to face the law which might land the fellow behind the bars for 5 years. Many might argue that jail for 5 years is a too harsh punishment, for simply using a racial term. But, when there’s an attack on a person’s integrality and dignity, law must intervene to protect it, after all if not stopped now today’s racial discrimination might turn into tomorrows more serious crime and violence. So, next time beware and think twice before addressing someone ‘chinki’.
