An Indian couple has won a $200,000 settlement after facing discrimination at a US university because of the smell of their traditional food. Aditya Prakash and his fiancée, Urmi Bhattacheryya, took legal action against the University of Colorado, Boulder, claiming they were repeatedly targeted with “microaggressions and retaliation” after a simple microwave incident.
The situation started when Prakash, a PhD student in anthropology, heated his lunch of palak paneer—a classic Indian dish made with spinach.A staff member reportedly objected to the smell, saying there was a rule against heating foods with strong odors.
Retaliation and Legal Action
After that incident, the couple says the university took steps that hurt their academic progress. They allege losing research funding, teaching opportunities, and even their advisors. In May 2025, they filed a civil rights lawsuit, claiming ongoing discrimination and retaliation.
By September 2025, the university settled the case. Officials said they are working to rebuild trust and maintain an inclusive environment within the anthropology department.
For the couple, the lawsuit wasn’t about money. “It was about making a point—that there are consequences for discriminating against Indians for their ‘Indianness,’” Prakash told the BBC.
Food Racism Gets Global Attention
Prakash has been subject to Food Discrimination originating from Italy, where his teachers would separate him during lunchtime as a result of complaints made by other students about the Type of food that he brought to school. These examples show how the more subtle forms of discrimination can affect the ethnic individual who has migrated to another country. Experts believe that this should encourage colleges and employers to maintain an inclusive workplace and learning environment.
