Two Indian students have secured a $200,000 settlement from the University of Colorado Boulder following a dispute over a palak paneer lunch, which they claimed highlighted discriminatory kitchen policies.
A dispute over heating a palak paneer lunch in a microwave has led to a significant $200,000 settlement for two Indian students from the University of Colorado Boulder. The students, Aditya Prakash and Urmi Bhattacheryya, both PhD candidates in the Anthropology Department, filed a civil suit against the university, alleging that its kitchen policy was discriminatory. The settlement was reached in September 2025, and the couple has since returned to India.
The incident that sparked the controversy occurred on September 5, 2023, about a year after Prakash began his studies at the university. While heating his lunch in the department’s microwave, he was approached by a staff member who complained about the “pungent smell” of the food and requested that he refrain from using the microwave for his meal. Prakash calmly defended his right to heat his food, stating, “It’s just food. I’m heating and leaving.”
However, the situation escalated, prompting Prakash and Bhattacheryya to file a civil suit in the Colorado U.S. District Court in May 2025 after the university denied them their Master’s degrees, which are typically awarded to PhD students en route to their doctoral degrees. They argued that the university’s kitchen policy disproportionately affected ethnic groups, particularly South Asians, and created an environment where many Indian students felt uncomfortable using shared spaces to eat their lunches.
In their suit, the couple described the “discriminatory treatment” they experienced and alleged that the university engaged in a pattern of escalating retaliation against them. They claimed this treatment caused them “emotional distress, mental anguish, and pain and suffering.”
University spokesperson Deborah Mendez-Wilson issued a statement regarding the settlement, emphasizing that the university denies any liability. She noted that the institution has established processes to address allegations of discrimination and harassment and adhered to those processes in this case. Mendez-Wilson reaffirmed CU Boulder’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for all students, faculty, and staff.
Prakash, who was a fully funded PhD student at the time of the incident, reported that he faced harassment following the microwave dispute. He claimed he was frequently summoned for meetings with senior faculty, accused of making staff feel unsafe, and was the subject of complaints to the Office of Student Conduct.
Bhattacheryya shared her experience, stating that she lost her teaching assistant position without any warning or explanation. Just two days after the microwave incident, she and three other students brought Indian food to campus, only to be accused of “inciting a riot.” The complaints against them were ultimately dismissed by the Office of Student Conduct.
The couple expressed gratitude for the support they received from their peers, with 29 fellow students in the Anthropology Department backing their claims and criticizing the university’s response to what they termed “discriminatory food policies.”
They referenced the Anthropology Department’s own Statement on Systemic Racism and Violence, which emphasizes the importance of celebrating diversity within the department. Bhattacheryya noted that her actions following the incident, including inviting Prakash to share his experiences in a class on ethnocentrism, were intended to foster dialogue rather than incite conflict.
As the settlement was finalized, both Prakash and Bhattacheryya expressed reluctance to return to the United States. They felt that returning would mean re-entering a system that had caused them distress and anxiety, particularly concerning visa issues. “I don’t see myself going back,” Prakash stated, indicating that starting anew in the U.S. was not appealing.
Despite their decision to leave, Prakash emphasized the importance of their case, stating, “If this case can send out a message that this (‘food racism’) cannot be practiced with impunity, that we, as Indians, will fight back, that would be the real victory.”
The outcome of this dispute highlights ongoing conversations about inclusivity and cultural sensitivity within academic institutions, particularly as they relate to the diverse backgrounds of their student populations. The settlement serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by international students and the need for universities to foster environments that respect and celebrate cultural diversity.
According to The Indian Express, the couple’s experience underscores the importance of addressing discriminatory practices in educational settings.