COVID-19: Mary Condemns Racist Attacks on People From Northeast

MC Mary Kom has called out the racist attacks on Northeasterners amid the fight against coronavirus.

(Photo: The Quint)

(Edited by Deepti Ramdas)

"It’s very unfortunate," says Indian boxer MC Mary Kom as she condemns the racist attacks on people of the Northeast during India’s fight against the coronavirus.

Incidents of racism have been reported from a few cities in India over the last weeks. In Mysuru, two North-eastern men were denied entry into a grocery store because the staff claimed they were ‘foreigners’. A girl in Delhi’s Vijay Nagar was called ‘corona’ before her attacker spat paan on her.

Calling the attacks 'irrational', Mary said, ‘This virus does not know colour, caste, region or religion nor country. This is not a time for blame games or a time to insult each other but to come together and fight against this dreadful virus by abiding by the safety instructions given by our government.’

To the victims of the attacks, Mary had a message of harmony and courage.

"I am sorry to hear about the unfortunate incidents and treatment you have come across during this hardest time of our generation. Please take courage because the people who treated you differently, they don’t know their own people. There are millions of people who are by your side. You have instead taught them the best lesson they needed. I believe this incident will bring forward a good change in the attitude of such people and pave the way for the next level of national integration,’ said the MP who has recently qualified for her second Olympics.