Evil man will be punished: Rijiju on racial abuse of Tripura youth by Delhi influencer

Union Minister warned of action against content creator Amir Shokeen over racial remarks against a youth from Tripura, saying Delhi and Tripura Police would teach him a "hard lesson". Shokeen later apologised, claiming the video was scripted and meant as humour.

In Short

• Kiren Rijiju condemns racial abuse against Tripura youth by Delhi content creator
• Says Delhi and Tripura police will take strict action against accused Amir Shokeen
• Content creator issues apology, claims video was scripted humour but faces backlash

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday condemned the racial abuse of a youth from Tripura by a Delhi-based content creator, warning that the accused would face action and that the Delhi and Tripura police would teach him a “hard lesson”.

In a post on X, Rijiju said there had been a delay in filing an official complaint but asserted that the accused would be punished. He also criticised those who tolerate such behaviour, saying they were equally responsible for allowing hatred to spread in society.

“This evil man will be punished. There was a delay in lodging the official complaint, but Delhi Police and Tripura Police will teach him a hard lesson,” he said.

“People who tolerate such wicked behaviour in the society are also responsible for the spread of hatred,” the minister added.

His remarks came after a video showing content creator Amir Shokeen making racially derogatory remarks against a youth from Tripura went viral on social media, triggering widespread outrage across the Northeast.

The backlash led Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha to ask the state’s DGP to coordinate with the Delhi Police, as leaders across party lines called for action against the content creator.

Saha has directed the state's Director General of Police (DGP) to coordinate with the Delhi Police and take appropriate action against the content creator.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police's Special Police Unit for the North Eastern Region received information about the incident and subsequently alerted the Cyber Cell of the Delhi Police Special Cell.

The Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of the Delhi Police Cyber Cell is investigating the matter, according to the information provided.

The Tripura Student Forum has also filed a complaint with the Delhi Police, seeking the registration of a first information report (FIR) against Shokeen under relevant legal provisions.

A complaint has also been lodged with the Tripura Police, accusing Shokeen of racial harassment, cyberbullying and making derogatory remarks against the state's indigenous communities.Leaders across party lines have condemned the remarks and demanded action against the content creator.

The BJP's Tripura unit has claimed that Shokeen is a worker of the Congress party. The claim has not been independently verified.

CONTENT CREATOR AMIR SHOKEEN ISSUES APOLOGY

Following the backlash, the content creator also issued a video apology on Facebook and claimed the video was scripted and intended as humour, saying the youth featured in it was known to him and had previously worked at a friend’s cafe in Ahmedabad.

Shokeen maintained that both of them were joking during the exchange and that he had no intention of insulting anyone. “I had no intention of saying anything bad about anyone. If anyone felt bad, I apologise from the bottom of my heart. I respect everyone,” he said.

He also issued a specific apology to the people of Tripura, saying he had not intended to offend them through the video. “My brothers from Tripura, I apologise to all of you with folded hands. Brotherhood is top priority. I am sorry,” he added.

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