The North-South divide in India continues to be a topic of heated discussions, often entangled in political rhetoric, humorous stereotypes, and everyday conversations. While it is frequently rooted in regional pride, it can sometimes expose deeper societal fractures. Recently, a Reddit user shared a personal experience, stating, “Northern Indians simply force others to live like them.”
In a detailed post, the user recounted instances of discrimination they faced as a South Indian living first in Maharashtra and later in Delhi. “Throughout my life, I’ve barely met 10-15 people who didn’t single me out for being South Indian,” they wrote. They recalled an incident from eighth grade where a teacher specifically targeted South Indian students for ridicule: “She said, ‘Please don’t talk in my class or in groups because you guys make the same noise as shaking rocks in a can.'”
The user also described the cultural alienation they experienced, from being mocked for their language and films to being ridiculed for eating with their hands. “You made fun of everything,” they shared. “And the worst part? The same people who told us to ‘go back’ forced us to learn Hindi, forced us to adapt, and still bullied us for being South Indian.”
The post resonated with many, prompting others to share similar experiences. “I lived in Delhi during my childhood and was bullied for being South Indian. My Hindi is flawless, but I still faced prejudice,” wrote one commenter. Another added, “That’s exactly why I refuse to learn Hindi. Even if you speak it fluently, you’re still treated as an outsider.”
One user highlighted racism they encountered during an online gaming session: “I was playing Valorant, and the moment my teammate spoke Malayalam, the chat was flooded with ‘dose, idli, sambar, chutney’ spam. It’s just a game, but seeing teenagers behave this way makes me worried about India’s future.”
However, some users emphasized that bias isn’t one-sided. A Bihari user shared their own experiences with discrimination in South India: “I’ve faced racism too, even in some of these comments. Racists exist everywhere—we just need to take the higher road.”
A Bengali user living in North India echoed similar sentiments, recounting derogatory remarks made about their culture and women. “Northern Indians are among the most bigoted people in the world, and it’s ironic when they accuse others of being the same.”
