What began as a simple act of reheating lunch in a shared departmental microwave escalated into a high-profile civil rights dispute, culminating in a significant settlement for two Indian doctoral students.
The incident occurred on September 5, 2023, at the University of Colorado Boulder. Aditya Prakash, then a 34-year-old PhD student in the Anthropology Department (originally from Bhopal), was warming up his homemade palak paneer when a female staff member approached him. She reportedly complained about the “pungent” smell of the dish and instructed him not to use the microwave for heating his food.
Prakash responded calmly, stating, “It’s just food. I’m heating and leaving,” while emphasizing that the kitchen was a shared space and that perceptions of smell are culturally determined. He later described the moment as emblematic of deeper issues, saying, “My food is my pride. Notions about what smells good or bad are culturally determined.”
The situation quickly grew beyond the initial encounter. Prakash’s partner, Urmi Bhattacharyya (35, from Kolkata and also a PhD student in the same department), supported him publicly. She alleged that she faced retaliation, including the sudden loss of her teaching assistant position without explanation.
According to the students, the university’s response included repeated meetings where Prakash was accused of making staff “feel unsafe,” student conduct complaints, and the withholding of their en-route Master’s degrees (typically awarded to PhD candidates who meet certain milestones). Bhattacharyya claimed that when she and other students brought Indian food to campus shortly after the incident, they were accused of “inciting a riot”—a charge later dismissed by the Office of Student Conduct.
The couple argued that these actions reflected systemic bias against South Asian and international students, particularly regarding cultural food practices in shared academic spaces. They highlighted how the department’s kitchen policies disproportionately affected ethnic groups like South Asians, making many hesitant to eat their traditional meals openly.
In May 2025, Prakash and Bhattacharyya filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, alleging discrimination, retaliation, and the creation of a hostile academic environment.
The case concluded in September 2025 when the University of Colorado Boulder reached a settlement agreement. The university paid the students $200,000 (approximately ₹1.8 crore), conferred their withheld Master’s degrees, and resolved the matter without admitting liability. As part of the deal, Prakash and Bhattacharyya are barred from future enrollment or employment at the institution.
A university spokesperson, Deborah Mendez-Wilson, stated: “The university reached an agreement with the plaintiffs and denies any liability. The university has established processes to address allegations of discrimination and harassment, and it adhered to those processes in this matter. CU Boulder remains committed to fostering an inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff.”
Following the settlement, the couple returned permanently to India, citing emotional distress, academic disruptions, visa uncertainties, and a lack of desire to return to the U.S. They viewed the outcome as a victory for dignity and a broader stand against subtle cultural discrimination.
The story resurfaced in January 2026 and went viral on social media, generating mixed reactions. Many praised the students for standing up against food-based bias and cultural insensitivity, with comments like “This is what raising your voice the right way looks like” and plans to celebrate with “more palak paneer.” Others questioned the scale of the payout, calling it overblown or humorous in tone.
The case has sparked wider discussions about cultural sensitivity, food shaming, and the experiences of international students in American academic environments—particularly how everyday practices like preparing ethnic meals can intersect with issues of inclusion and equity.
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