A powerful rap song titled “Chinky”, which directly addresses the racial slur often used against people from India’s Northeast, is once again gaining attention online. The renewed interest in the track comes after several recent incidents of discrimination against Northeastern citizens in major Indian cities.
The song was first released in May 2025 by Meghalaya-based musician Sonu Baroi. It features the voice of Kunja Khwairakpam, a PhD scholar from North Eastern Hill University, who normally avoids the limelight and has very little social media presence. The title of the song uses the derogatory word that has long been used to mock the physical features of Northeastern communities.
The track has begun circulating widely again after reports of harassment against migrants from the Northeast surfaced in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Listeners say the song reflects the daily struggle faced by many Northeastern youth who move out of the region for education and employment. 
The music video includes young women representing all eight Northeastern states — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. They appear in traditional attire and lip-sync to lyrics that reclaim the insult while speaking about silent discrimination. Lines such as “Chinky is what they say; still we shine; still we fight” and “You see my eyes, but not my heart / India’s piece, don’t tear it apart” highlight their demand for dignity and acceptance.
Baroi has said the song draws from his own personal experiences of prejudice while living in Punjab. He explained that many women from the Northeast face constant stereotyping and even character judgement based on their appearance or clothing. Through the song, he wanted to celebrate the cultures of the region and also question the bias that still exists.
The online revival of the song follows a worrying incident in late December 2025, when a student from Tripura was reportedly stabbed after being mocked with taunts like “Chinki” and “Chinese”. Activists say such cases show that many Northeastern residents continue to be treated as outsiders despite being equal citizens of the country.
The video is now being shared widely on social media platforms, where users have praised its strong message and called it “powerful” and “necessary”. Many viewers say the track serves as a reminder of unity in diversity and the need for greater awareness.
