A dispute that began over heating a dish in a microwave has ended with two Indian students winning a $200,000 settlement from a US university.
Aditya Prakash and his fiancee, Urmi Bhattacheryya, told the BBC they filed a civil rights lawsuit against the University of Colorado, Boulder, after they faced a series of microaggressions and retaliatory actions following the microwave incident.
The harassment began, the lawsuit alleged, after a university staff member objected to Prakash heating up his lunch of palak paneer - one of northern India's most popular dishes, made of pureed spinach and paneer - in a microwave on campus, because of the way it smelled.
The university, in response to the claims, emphasized its commitment to an inclusive environment but noted that privacy laws prevented them from discussing specific incidents.
Prakash expressed that the aim of the lawsuit transcended financial recompense; it was about highlighting the consequences of discrimination aimed at Indian cultural practices.
The incident has fueled conversations around so-called 'food racism' where individuals from non-Western backgrounds face prejudice over their cuisines.
Prakash's past experiences with discrimination, including being isolated in schools for the smell of his food, add depth to the ongoing discussion. In 2025, after filing the lawsuit amidst claims of discrimination and retaliation from the university, the couple ultimately agreed to settle the case.
As a result, they will be awarded their degrees but will be forbidden from returning to the university.
