New Delhi: Nagaland minister and President of Bhartiya Janta Party in Nagaland, Temjen Imna Along, used humour as a tool to address the stereotype and racist comment of ‘small eyes’ used for people from Northeast India. Netizens applauded his gesture on social media. Even Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared the video and wrote, “My brother @AlongImna is in full form.”
My brother @AlongImna is in full form https://t.co/5IvgpYEuts
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 8, 2022
The state’s higher education and tribal affairs minister, in his speech, said that people often say that Northeast Indians have small eyes. Mr Imna added that he does have small eyes but his vision is clear. Then he went on to crack a joke and said, “Because I have small eyes, less dirt enters my eyes. Also, I can easily sleep when I am on the stage and some long programme is going on.”
People sitting in the audience laughed and applauded as Mr Imna made this statement. The statement was also well received by Indians on social media.
A Twitter user wrote, “Haha…This is how you tackle racism Temjen Imna Along, You rock!”
Haha…This is how you tackle racism
Temjen Imna Along, You rock! ??pic.twitter.com/mayxR08dJ0
— Do Men Matter? (@LetsTalk_Men) July 9, 2022
A Twitter user by the name of Sandeep Ahlawat praised Temjen Imna’s humour.
People of North East India are ❤️
What sense of humour man…?
Minister in the Govt of Nagaland Mr Temjen Imna Along ? @wethenagas#Nagaland #WeTheNagas #Dimapur #Kohima @AlongImna pic.twitter.com/Kp9j0O2BEP— Sandeep Ahlawat (@SandyAhlawat89) July 6, 2022
Such light humor with serious matter connects every one.. He is a great man .,??
— Enigma (@richati86178274) July 8, 2022
A person thanked the minister for bringing positivity out of a wrong perception.
Congratulations on Bringing Positivity out of Wrong Perception . This is beauty of Thought of Person who is Leader for Country.#temjenimnaalong
— D.K.GANDHI (@1964GANDHI) July 9, 2022
छोटी आँख से बहुत दूर तक देखने का इरादा जो रखते है। ?❤️@himantabiswa @AlongImna#Nagaland #BJP #NorthEast #India #temjenimnaalong pic.twitter.com/akoV2Dt8mA
— Bhuwan Bhatt (@Bhuwanuk02) July 9, 2022
The minister also talked about Nagaland’s glory and the courageous freedom fighters. He also mentioned the name of Subhash Chandra Bose and his contribution to India’s freedom struggle. Mr Imna also mentioned an incident about the racism he faced when he went to see the Taj Mahal in Agra. He said that he was asked to give $20 as he was not considered an Indian. When he told the concerned authorities that he is from Nagaland, some people asked him back ‘Which land? Finland or Switzerland?’
