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 fiancée, 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 - in a microwave on campus, because of the way it smelled.
In response, the university said it could not comment on the claims due to privacy laws but insisted it is committed to fostering an inclusive environment.
Prakash stated the lawsuit was not primarily about the financial settlement; it highlighted the need for accountability regarding discriminatory practices against Indian cultural food.
This incident has ignited a broader discussion on social media about 'food racism', as many shared their own experiences of facing ridicule abroad due to their cuisine.
Prakash detailed that after the incident in September 2023, they faced escalating retaliation, including losing research funding and teaching positions. They officially filed the lawsuit in May 2025.
The university settled the case in September 2025, while denying liability and imposing restrictions on the students regarding future study at the institution.
Both students expressed disappointment over not receiving a meaningful apology from the university and indicated they might not return to the US.
In sum, Prakash's experience is emblematic of food-related discrimination issues that persist in both Western and Indian contexts, making the case resonate beyond their personal ordeal.
