'I stand with Captain Murugan:' Support pours in for Manipur researcher in trouble for sarcastic comment on racism

IMPHAL: Support is pouring out for a young researcher from Manipur who has landed in the soup over a sarcastic comment on racial discrimination against Northeast Indians that he posted on Facebook.

Omen Achom, 32, resident of Khonghampat Mayai Leikai of Imphal West and a research scholar in the department of Film Studies, The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, Telangana, stands on the brink of arrest after a snark he posted on Facebook after Manipur's Mirabai Chanu nabbed a silver for India in the ongoing Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Achom, who goes by the moniker ‘Captain Murugan’ on Facebook, got some unwarranted attention after a post that he made on Olympic medallist S Mirabai Chanu was alleged to be a racist slur.

Following Mirabai’s clinching a silver medal at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics, Omen ironically posted on Facebook: “OMG... Chinese girl from Manipur wins Olympic Silver for India. Why did India hire this Chinese girl who is fit to be only in Spa and Saloons and Restaurants, who are slut shamed for wearing “tiny” clothes, who are often asked “what’s your rate?” who are often sexually molested, raped and harassed in mainland India and by the paramilitary forces at home. Nation wants to Know!!"

His counsel through video conference submitted that the statements were posted in Facebook on July 24.

It was submitted that the Northeasterners of India have been subjected to certain forms of abusive ill-treatment along with slur and vulgar languages with the intent of racial remarks have been continued as a rampant culture.

In a bonafide manner without criminal intent, 'Captain Murugan' uploaded the statement "triggered by a mental setback when S Mirabai Chanu won the Silver Medal in the Olympic Games 2020 held in Tokyo and the reactions of those assailants against Northeasterners of India."

The counsel further stated that Omen Achom has no ill-motives, ill-intention to cause or promote any social chaos, incitement between or amongst the different groups of religious communities and prejudicial to state harmony.

The court after examining the application and enclosing the documents, observed that Captain Murugan has not disclosed any other reasons why he should not be arrested by the police except for the above mentioned post relating to Mirabai.

Considering the distasteful language (however so innocent as alleged) used in the posts, the Court does not intend to grant interim protection to the petitioner at the stage and fixed July 31 for considering interim pre arrest bail application, the court observed.

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