'Pakka Indian ho?': Manipuri woman alleges racism, harassment at Delhi airport

New Delhi: A Manipuri woman has alleged racism and harassment at the Delhi airport by immigration officials.

As per reports, Monika Khangembam was asked about her nationality by an officer at the immigration desk despite carrying a valid Indian passport.

Monika wrote on Facebook on July 9 that despite telling the official about her being India, the officer kept on asking questions about her nationality.

Monika wrote she felt ‘humiliated’ by the immigration officer's behaviour.

“The officer looked at my passport and said you don’t look like an Indian,” Monika wrote on Facebook.

In fact, as per a report in The Indian Express, the officer at the airport also asked the girl from the Northeast about the number of states in India and the number of states bordering her home state Manipur.

“I would like the authorities to take necessary action. I am planning to write to the Ministry of External Affairs about this,” Monika told ANI news agency today.

Her sister described the incident as “unfortunate”.

“It's unfortunate that my sister carrying an Indian passport was asked by the immigration officer about her nationality. Such type of treatment is unacceptable. The concerned authorities must look into it,” Monika sister told ANI.

It may be noted that after Monika wrote about her ordeal on Facebook, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had apologised to her on Twitter and promised that she would soon ask Home Minister Rajnath Singh to ensure immigration officials undergo a sensitisation programme.

Monika Khangembam - I am sorry to know this. Immigration is not with me./1 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 10, 2016

I will speak to my senior colleague Shri @rajnathsingh ji to sensitise Immigration officials at the airport./2 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 10, 2016