A young man from Tripura who was allegedly subjected to racial slurs by Delhi-based content creator Amir Shokeen has described how he was approached, mocked and filmed without his knowledge, as law enforcement moved to detain the accused and political leaders demanded strict action.
Victim describes incident, says he did not know he was being recorded
The youth — identified in reporting as Lesenjit Reang — told reporters he had not been aware that a video was being recorded for social media when he was called over by the group. According to his account, the questioning was done in a mocking tone and included derogatory remarks about his ethnicity and appearance.
"I wasn't even aware that they were recording a video. I knew nothing about it... They were speaking to me in a mocking, jesting manner. They asked me where I'm from - where I live. They even asked if I was the president of China, that sort of thing," the youth said.
The video that circulated online reportedly included racial slurs and references to the young man's appearance — language that has reignited debate over the normalisation of stereotyping and abuse of people from the north‑eastern states on social media and in public spaces.
Arrest and investigation
Delhi Police arrested Amir Shokeen from Karol Bagh after taking suo motu cognisance of the viral clip. Authorities say the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit is probing the matter following communication from the Special Police Unit for North Eastern Region (SPUNER).
Police sources reported that the video was allegedly recorded in Ahmedabad about a month ago. Investigators are examining the roles of around seven to eight people seen in the footage.
Political and community response
The incident prompted condemnations from across the political spectrum. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who is from the north‑east, said authorities in Delhi and Tripura would ensure action and indicated the accused would face consequences. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha also called for action and instructed the state Director General of Police to coordinate with Delhi Police on the investigation.
Community groups have pressed for a thorough probe. The Tripura Students Forum Delhi (TSFD) filed a complaint with the joint commissioner of police (SPUNER), urging preservation of the electronic evidence — including the original recording, metadata, account details and upload history — and demanding appropriate legal action.
Apology and reactions on accountability
The creator accused in the clip has issued an apology, according to reporting, and claimed the content was scripted. That explanation has not quelled public outrage, with commentators and community leaders arguing that content creators must be held to account for conduct that targets vulnerable groups or promotes racial stereotyping.
Legal experts and activists say preservation of digital evidence and timely filing of records are crucial in such cases to ensure accountability and deter similar conduct on social platforms. The TSFD’s request to preserve metadata and upload histories underscores the evidentiary value of platform records in prosecutions involving online content.
- Arrest location: Karol Bagh, New Delhi.
- Alleged recording location: Ahmedabad (reported).
- Units involved: Delhi Police IFSO unit and SPUNER.
- Number of people under probe: Reportedly seven to eight.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Accused | Amir Shokeen |
| Alleged victim | Lesenjit Reang (from Tripura) |
| Complaint by | Tripura Students Forum Delhi (TSFD) |
| Investigating units | IFSO (Delhi Police); SPUNER |
Local impact and wider context
For people from the north‑eastern states, incidents like the one described revive anxieties about stereotyping and safety in other parts of the country. Community organisations advocate proactive policing and greater platform responsibility to prevent content that humiliates or marginalises individuals on the basis of ethnicity or appearance.
Tripura authorities have sought coordination with Delhi Police to ensure swift proceedings. The case is likely to feed into broader discussions on whether existing legal provisions and platform policies sufficiently deter creators from producing content that targets marginalised communities.
As investigators collect and secure digital evidence and question individuals seen in the clip, the central questions remain whether the footage was staged and, if not, who is criminally liable for the abuse recorded and circulated online.
Further procedural updates on custody, charges and possible transfer of evidence are awaited from the investigating agencies.
