Aditya Prakash, who is doing PhD in the Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado Boulder, was heating his homemade Palak Paneer in the department’s microwave on September 5, 2023. Then suddenly a staff member came to him and complained about the strong smell of food and asked him not to use the microwave. Aditya was 34 years old at that time. Maintaining calm, he said clearly, ‘It’s just food. I am leaving after warming up. But the matter did not end here. This incident later became a big case of racial discrimination and retaliation against a renowned university of America.

Aditya Prakash was a fully funded PhD student at the time of the incident. His partner Urmi Bhattacharya, herself a PhD scholar, was doing well academically. Everything remained normal for the first one year, but after the Palak Paneer incident, the situation changed. Aditya alleges that when he raised questions about discrimination, the university started a series of continuous harassment against him.

called in front of senior faculty

He was repeatedly called before the senior faculty. He was told that because of him the staff was feeling unsafe. Complaints were made against him to the Office of Student Conduct. Urmi Bhattacharya says that the job of teaching assistant was taken away from her without any warning. Two days later, when she brought Indian food with some students, she was even accused of inciting a riot on the campus. However, these complaints were later rejected.

Systemic racism and civil rights case

In May 2025, Aditya and Urmi filed a civil rights case in the US federal court (District of Colorado). They alleged that the department’s kitchen policy has an unequal and discriminatory impact on South Asian students. Indian students are intimidated from opening their food in common places. Aditya called it not just an incident but systematic racism.

Settlement of 2 lakh dollars, but ban on withdrawal

In September 2025, the University of Colorado Boulder reached a settlement in this matter. Under this, a total of 2 lakh dollars (about Rs 1.7 crore) were given to Aditya and Urmi. Both were given a master’s degree mid-way through their PhD, but were permanently barred from studying or working at a university in the future. The university issued a statement saying it does not admit any wrongdoing, but the matter has been resolved. Shortly after this, both the students returned to India forever.

Student Support Institutional Paradox

In this entire controversy, 29 students of the Anthropology department openly supported Aditya and Urmi. Describing the reaction of the department as harmful, he said that diversity in a subject like Anthropology should not only be tolerated but also respected. This statement also matched the university’s own Systemic Racism Statement, which was on paper but not visible in practice. Urmi Bhattacharya believes that this incident is also related to the changing political environment in America, especially after the return of Donald Trump, changes have been seen.

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The US has implemented new restrictions for foreign students amid growing trade tension from India. Earlier, US President Donald Trump had imposed a tariff on India, now the Trump administration has issued a new decree regarding foreign students. In fact, the US administration has recently sent a 10-nine memo to the Universities of America. According to this, only 15 percent of international students will be able to take admission in Universities of America and the number of students of any one country will not be more than 5 percent.

Apart from this, the Trump administration has also asked American universities to reduce the registration of foreign students and improve some departments. Amidst the restrictions imposed on Indian students in America, let us know which countries other than America have better education options.

Know the effect of decision on Indian students first

The impact of the new memo of US administration will be seen on Indian students. Actually, a large number of Indian students study in America. After this decision of Trump, taking admission in American universities will be more difficult than ever, because the total number of foreign students in every university will be limited to only 15 percent and cannot be more than 5 copies of any one country. This means that competition will increase for Indian students and many students will not get admission. Apart from this, the university will also have to public the data of earnings after students’ GPA, test score, tuition fees and graduation. It is believed that after this decision of Trump, now Indian students will start looking for new options for studying abroad apart from America.

Germany Indian students choice

After the decisions of the US government, Germany is also considered a good option for the education of Indian students. Actually, tuition fees are not charged from international students in most public universities in Germany. Apart from this, international students do not have to pay more semester fees here. Also, there is permission to do part time job and post study work visa here. In such a situation, Germany is considered to be the best option for Indian students after America.

Canada is also a safe option

Canada is also considered a good option for Indian students. The university of Canada also has less tuition fees than America. On the other hand, if the students want, then you can also reduce tuition fees through many scholarships here. Along with this, many programs are also offered in Canada regarding business and health care, which students can also take advantage of.

Britain also in the list of Indian students

Britain is known for a place on one side and strong economy. At the same time, it is now being considered one of the best countries for the education of foreign students. The big reason for this is that in Britain, there is a chance to study in the top universities of the world. Which includes universities like Oxford and Cambridge. Apart from this, after graduation, there is also a job option through graduate visa.

France is also the choice of students

After America’s decisions, Indian students can also turn to France. In fact, the fees for international students in many universities in France are very low. Apart from this, the cost of living here is also different in different cities, due to which the small towns here can be economical for the students.

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