Archive · 30 Jan 2026
Indian Students Settle Discrimination Case with US University
Two Indian students studying in the USA said their university was mean to them because of their food.
They said the university didn't like when they heated Indian food in the office microwave.
The students felt sad and left the university without finishing their studies.
They got some money as a settlement, but they had to promise not to study or work at the university again.
They wanted to speak up because they believe everyone should be able to eat their own food without being judged.
Two Indian PhD students accused the University of Colorado Boulder of systemic racism and discrimination.
The incident began when a student heated palak paneer in the office microwave, prompting negative comments.
The students faced institutional harassment, including the revocation of their funding and removal from teaching roles.
They received a $200,000 settlement but had to withdraw their complaints and cannot study or work at the university in the future.
The university denied any liability but confirmed that they took the allegations seriously and followed established processes.
- Who
- Aditya Prakash and Urmi Bhattacheryya, Indian PhD students at the University of Colorado Boulder
- What
- Alleged systemic racism and discrimination, leading to a $200,000 settlement
- When
- Incident began on September 5, 2023; settlement reached in September 2025
- Where
- University of Colorado Boulder, USA
- Why
- Alleged discrimination over food choices and institutional harassment
- Students
- Aditya Prakash and Urmi Bhattacheryya
- University
- University of Colorado Boulder
- Settlement Amount
- $200,000
- Incident Date
- September 5, 2023
- Settlement Date
- September 2025
- Allegations
- Systemic racism and discrimination
- Outcome
- Withdrawn complaints, returned to India without PhDs