BEYOND THE MUSIC: HILL SCHOOL BAND MEETS RACISM AND HOSTILITY ON THE STREETS OF KOLKATA
BEYOND THE MUSIC: HILL SCHOOL BAND MEETS RACISM AND HOSTILITY ON THE STREETS OF KOLKATA
Kolkata , Dec 19 – In a deeply unsettling incident that highlights the persistent challenges of racial discrimination in India, a 30-member School Bagpiper and Drums Band from Darjeeling Hill was subjected to a series of racist slurs and physical harassment during their recent visit to Kolkata for a scheduled performance. Sudeshna Pradhan, the group’s teacher and guardian, shared a harrowing account of the journey, calling the experience really disheartening in Democratic India.
THE INCIDENT
The harassment reportedly began at New Jalpaiguri (NJP) station, where the students—predominantly young girls—were repeatedly targeted with xenophobic slurs, including Chinese, Momo, Chowmein, and Nepal. Despite the provocation, Ms. Pradhan instructed her students to remain calm and prioritize discipline over confrontation. The situation escalated significantly upon arrival at Howrah Railway Station. According to Ms. Pradhan, a male passenger accompanied by his family blocked the exit as the troupe attempted to deboard with their musical instruments and luggage. He started shouting that we should have booked a full train because we were a group of 30. In the chaos, he pushed our girls to forcefully enter the coach, causing one student to fall down, Ms. Pradhan narrated.
A TEACHER’S STAND AGAINST HATRED
When Ms. Pradhan pleaded for the safety of her students, the individual allegedly responded with the xenophobic remark: Go to Nepal. This is not your place. Faced with physical aggression toward her students, Ms. Pradhan felt compelled to intervene. As a teacher and a guardian, staying silent would have been a bigger mistake. These girls are like my daughters. When I saw him touching and pushing my students, I had to take action, she stated.
A CALL FOR REFLECTION
Darjeeling's Pipe Band frequently represents the region and West Bengal in various cultural capacities. The irony of being treated as outsiders while contributing to the cultural fabric of the nation was not lost on the troupe. We proudly represent the region everywhere we go. Yet, it hurts deeply that we face such discrimination from our own people, Pradhan added. This is not just about a train journey; it is about respect, safety, and our shared humanity. The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many calling for sensitization and stricter action against racial profiling and harassment of citizens from the Northeast and Himalayan regions.
#Siliguri #thesiliguritoday #Darjeeling #Kolkata #EndRacism #NorthEastIndia # #Discrimination #HowrahStation #HumanRights #UnityInDiversity #StopHate #HillPipeBand #Equality #DemocraticIndia #SafetyFirst
Courtesy Sudeshna Pradhan, FB Page
