A Father's Heartbreaking Plea: "We Are All Indians Too"

Imagine the unbearable pain of losing a child, especially one who ventured far from home in search of a better future. That's the tragic reality facing a father from Tripura, whose son's promising life was cruelly cut short in circumstances that have, once again, cast a harsh spotlight on the safety and identity of people from India's Northeast.

In his profound grief, this courageous father has managed to voice an urgent, deeply personal appeal, resonating with a simple yet often overlooked truth: "We are all Indians too." It's a statement that shouldn't need uttering, frankly, yet it echoes the persistent struggle faced by many individuals from the Northeastern states who, despite being fellow citizens, often encounter prejudice, discrimination, and even violence when they move to other parts of the country.

His plea isn't just for his own son, though the wound of that loss is undoubtedly fresh and raw. It's a desperate cry on behalf of countless young people from the region who leave their homes, often for education or employment, only to be met with xenophobia or, worse, outright aggression. This isn't just a regional issue; it strikes at the very heart of what it means to be a unified nation.

The incident, horrific as it is, serves as a grim reminder that while we celebrate India's incredible diversity, we sometimes fail to truly embrace it. There's a tangible fear, a lingering anxiety, among Northeast communities about their acceptance and safety in metropolitan cities. This isn't right. We, as a society, simply must do better. It means fostering greater understanding, actively countering stereotypes, and ensuring that our law enforcement agencies are equipped and sensitive enough to protect all citizens, irrespective of their origin within the country.

Perhaps, through the unbearable sorrow of this one father, a stronger collective conscience can emerge. His voice, laden with grief but undeniably strong, reminds us that until every Indian feels safe and truly at home anywhere within our borders, we have much work left to do. His son's memory, and the memories of so many others, demands nothing less.