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'Delhi is for all': CM Gupta reacts to 'dhande wali' abuses at Northeast women in Malviya Nagar

We are all one, and the safety of every daughter is our utmost responsibility, Rekha Gupta said on the racial abuse incident involving three northeastern women.

Updated on: Feb 25, 2026 09:27 pm IST
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Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday strongly condemned the incident involving three women from Northeast who were hurled racial abuses and threatened by a couple in Malviya Nagar recently. cm Gupta later in the day met the northeastern women.

Delhi belongs to everyone, Rekha Gupta said in a video message shared on X.(X/@gupta_rekha)

Delhi belongs to everyone, Rekha Gupta said in a video message shared on X.

“Here, the dignity, respect, and safety of every citizen is paramount. I will meet with them personally. The police are taking legal action with full responsibility, and we will ensure that the strictest possible action is taken against the culprits. Harassing, discriminating against, or humiliating any daughter will not be tolerated at any cost,” she said.

“We are all one, and the safety of every daughter is our utmost responsibility,” she added.

“We have invoked the SC/ST Act’s provisions in the case, and as mandated by law, the investigation is now being conducted by an assistant commissioner of police -rank officer,” said deputy police commissioner (South) Ankit Chauhan.

Sharing a picture of her meet with the women, CM Gupta wrote on X, “Today, I met our young friends from the North East who were affected by the recent distressing incident in Delhi. They are resilient, courageous, and full of promise. I have assured them of my full support during this difficult time.”

Politicians, including Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu and Union minister for development of the northeastern region, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, condemned the incident.

According to police, the incident took place around 3.30 pm last Friday, when the three women, aged between 19 and 23, were getting electrical installation work done inside their rented premises.

During the process, some dust allegedly fell into the flat below, where the couple resides, police said.

This led to a heated argument, during which the accused used words like “massage parlour” in derogatory way for the women and allegedly also referred to them as “dhande wali” - a term often used euphemistically for a sex worker.

In their police complaint, the women alleged that the couple used derogatory language targeting their ethnicity, insulted their modesty, and issued threats. They said the altercation left them mentally harassed and humiliated, though no physical injuries were reported.

The women told police about verbal abuse and racial slurs directed at them for being from the northeast. Two of them are from Arunachal Pradesh, and the third is from Manipur.

 
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