A Tale of 'Food Racism': How Two Indian Students Won a $200,000 Settlement with a US University
On September 5, 2023, a year into his PhD studies at the University of Colorado Boulder's Anthropology Department, Aditya Prakash's lunch of palak paneer became the center of a heated debate. As he heated his meal in the department's microwave, a staff member approached him, complaining about the 'smell' and demanding he stop using the microwave. This seemingly minor incident, however, led to a major legal battle and a $200,000 settlement.
Prakash, a 34-year-old Indian student, stood his ground, explaining that the smell was a result of his food, a common occurrence. But this didn't stop the university's retaliation. In September 2025, following a civil rights lawsuit, the University of Colorado Boulder settled with Prakash and his partner, Urmi Bhattacheryya, a fellow PhD student. The settlement included a payment of $200,000 and the conferral of Master's degrees, but it also barred them from future enrollment or employment at the university.
The couple's legal action was fueled by what they perceived as systemic racism. They claimed that the department refused to grant them the Master's degrees typically awarded to PhD students, and that this, coupled with the 'discriminatory treatment' they faced, caused them emotional distress and mental anguish. The lawsuit highlighted a departmental kitchen policy that disproportionately affected ethnic groups like South Asians, making many Indians hesitant to open their lunches in shared spaces.
University spokesperson Deborah Mendez-Wilson stated that the university reached an agreement with the plaintiffs and denied any liability. She assured that the university had established processes to address discrimination and harassment, and that these processes were followed in this matter. Despite the settlement, the university remains committed to fostering an inclusive environment.
The incident began when Prakash, a fully funded PhD student, was frequently summoned for meetings with senior faculty, accused of making staff feel unsafe, and reported to the Office of Student Conduct. Bhattacheryya, who claims she lost her teaching assistant job without warning, and was later accused of 'inciting a riot' when she and other students brought Indian food to campus, adds to the narrative. The Office of Student Conduct dismissed these complaints.
Prakash and Bhattacheryya's story began in Delhi, where they met and later enrolled for PhDs in the US. Bhattacheryya initially studied sociology at the University of Southern California before transferring to the University of Colorado Boulder. Their middle-class background made the financial commitment significant, with all their savings invested in their education.
The first year of their PhD journey was uneventful, with Prakash securing grants and funding, and Bhattacheryya's research on marital rape receiving positive feedback. However, the food incident changed everything. Prakash argued that the microwave was a common space, emphasizing that cultural perceptions of smell vary. He pointed out that even broccoli, a food with a strong odor, is not universally considered racist.
The couple received support from 29 fellow students in the Anthropology Department, who called out the 'harmful response' to 'discriminatory food policies'. They cited the department's own Statement on Systemic Racism and Violence, emphasizing the importance of diversity in an anthropology department. Bhattacheryya's account of the incident and its aftermath aligns with the broader changes in the US following Donald Trump's return to power, where empathy is narrowing, and institutions are less tolerant of discomfort from immigrants or people of color.
The couple's decision to file a federal civil rights lawsuit in May 2025 was influenced by these broader societal shifts. By the time the settlement was reached, they had no inclination to return to the US, facing the same visa precarity and the prospect of re-entering a potentially hostile environment. Prakash, in particular, expresses his reluctance to return, seeing it as a chance to start anew and send a message that 'food racism' will not be tolerated.
In the end, the case serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle against systemic racism and the importance of standing up for one's rights, even in the face of adversity.
