# Shillong singer reclaims racial slur in new anthem Chinky 2026-08-22T19:41:26+00:00 | Entertainment | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Shillong-based singer Sonu Baroi has released a new song titled 'CHINKY' that reclaims a racial slur commonly used against people from Northeast India. The anthem aims to challenge racial stereotypes and discrimination faced by the community, especially on social media where they are often called 'Chinese' or associated with stereotypes like 'momo sellers.' Baroi said the song's larger aim is to promote unity and encourage respect for India's diversity. He hopes to turn a painful experience of discrimination into a message of empowerment. The song has received appreciation from several artistes, including Khatija Rahman, daughter of composer AR Rahman. Baroi also revealed that two more songs are in the pipeline. ## Indian Opinion Analysis Northeast Indians have long reported racial slurs and online abuse for their physical features, yet such incidents rarely get mainstream attention. Baroi's move to reclaim a slur mirrors global cultural strategies seen in hip-hop and LGBTQ+ movements, but in India it is rare. The real test will be whether the song shifts behaviour beyond social media. Watch for how widely the track is shared in non-Northeast states, and whether it prompts any public figures to address the issue more formally. ## Coverage - timesnownews.com The article reports the singer's statements and context without taking sides, leading with the song's release. This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: AR Rahman, Khatija Rahman, Northeast India, racial discrimination, Shillong, Sonu Baroi Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/shillong-singer-reclaims-racial-slur-in-new-anthem-chinky/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/shillong-singer-reclaims-racial-slur-in-new-anthem-chinky/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes. How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/