Boulder, Colorado / New Delhi | January 14, 2026
In a landmark civil rights victory, two Indian PhD students have won a $200,000 settlement from the University of Colorado Boulder following allegations of racial discrimination that began with complaints over the smell of homemade palak paneer. Aditya Prakash and Urmi Bhattacheryya, who accused the university's Anthropology Department of systemic racism and retaliation, also received Master's degrees as part of the agreement—though they have since returned to India, permanently barred from future affiliation with the institution.
The saga, which unfolded over more than two years, highlights tensions around cultural practices in academic spaces and the challenges faced by international students of color. It culminated in a September 2025 settlement, with the couple's relocation back home announced this month amid reflections on the emotional toll of their ordeal.
### From Microwave Mishap to Legal Battle
The controversy ignited on September 5, 2023, when Prakash, then a 34-year-old PhD candidate in anthropology, warmed a serving of palak paneer— a staple spinach and cheese curry in Indian cuisine—in a shared departmental microwave. A staff member reportedly objected to the "pungent" aroma, instructing him not to use the appliance again and citing concerns from others in the office. Prakash, undeterred, replied casually, "It's just food. I'm heating and leaving," but the exchange allegedly snowballed into broader discriminatory policies.
What followed, according to the couple's lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, was a pattern of retaliation targeting South Asian students. The department introduced a new kitchen policy that made Indian students "hesitant to eat in shared spaces," Prakash claimed, fostering an environment of exclusion. Bhattacheryya, also pursuing a PhD, alleged she was stripped of her teaching assistant position without explanation, while Prakash faced repeated faculty meetings accusing him of making staff feel "unsafe" and referrals to the Office of Student Conduct.
The suit further detailed instances of harassment, including accusations that Bhattacheryya and other students "incited a riot" by bringing Indian food to campus—a claim later dismissed. The couple described the ordeal as causing "emotional distress, mental anguish, and pain," with a disproportionate impact on ethnic minorities like South Asians.
"The department also refused to grant us Master's degrees that PhD students are awarded en route to the PhD. That's when we decided to seek legal recourse," Prakash told reporters, labeling the treatment "systemic racism."
### Settlement Without Admission of Wrongdoing
Facing mounting legal pressure, the University of Colorado Boulder agreed to settle in September 2025, just months after the lawsuit's filing. The terms included a $200,000 payout—equivalent to approximately Rs 1.66 crore—along with the retroactive awarding of Master's degrees to both plaintiffs. In exchange, Prakash and Bhattacheryya agreed to forgo future enrollment or employment at the university, effectively closing the chapter on their American academic pursuits.
University spokesperson Deborah Mendez-Wilson emphasized that the settlement did not constitute an admission of liability. "The university reached an agreement with the plaintiffs and denies any liability," she stated. "CU Boulder remains committed to fostering an inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff."
The resolution comes at a time when U.S. campuses are under scrutiny for handling discrimination claims, particularly those involving international students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Advocacy groups have praised the outcome as a deterrent against casual xenophobia disguised as workplace etiquette.
### A Return to Roots
In a poignant postscript, Prakash and Bhattacheryya announced their permanent return to India earlier this month, citing the need for healing after the protracted fight. "We fought not just for ourselves, but for every student who feels silenced by bias," Bhattacheryya shared in a brief statement, underscoring the broader implications for immigrant scholars.
As the couple rebuilds in their homeland, their case serves as a stark reminder of the invisible barriers that can turn a simple lunch into a battle for dignity. The University of Colorado Boulder has not commented further on internal policy changes, but experts suggest such settlements may prompt wider reviews of cultural sensitivity training on campuses nationwide.
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