Belonging from Assam, situated in the
north-eastern part of the country and having almost spent two years in the
capital now, with one thing that I have always come across is the use of the
word ‘chinki’. Be it some of my close friends and others with whom I have been
closely associated with nobody have refrained from using this particular term.
During my initial days in Delhi when I was beginning to bud up in the region
and make new friends from this region as well as other parts of the country, they
always enquired about one common thing, “Aap Assam se ho na, waha pe chinkiya
bohut hain na??” I being a mere beginner in the place had no idea what they
were implying at, however soon I got hold of what their commonly used term
pointed out.
When with a gang of friends we often
tend to call each other with various names and sometimes even racial, however
so as long as we don't mean it in a serious defamatory manner, it doesn't
matter much. But the attitude of some is certainly spurious and stereotyped. I
have even come across people utter, “I heard that chinkis are really very much
easy going” and other vulgar chattel.
However, apart from the above mentioned
idiotic attitude the prime objective of this piece of writing is to make aware
why one should refrain from using this term and what might be the consequences
if used.
Very few people are aware that, early is
2012 the Ministry of Home Affairs asked all the states and union territories to
book anyone who commits an act of atrocity against people from North East under
the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. In
the later course of time, the term ‘chinki’ was made officially derogatory and
illegal and anybody found in engaging such act will have to face the law which
might land the fellow behind the bars for 5 years. Many might argue that jail
for 5 years is a too harsh punishment, for simply using a racial term. But,
when there’s an attack on a person’s integrality and dignity, law must
intervene to protect it, after all if not stopped now today’s racial
discrimination might turn into tomorrows more serious crime and violence. So,
next time beware and think twice before addressing someone ‘chinki’.
By-Shamim Zakaria