Settlement Over Food Discrimination at University

A 35-year-old student from India mentioned being told that the smell of his curry was unpleasant, contrasting it with sandwiches, which weren’t seen the same way.

Aditya Prakash and his fiancée, Urmi Bhattacharya, reached a $200,000 settlement with the University of Colorado Boulder, stemming from their experience. They described it as a progressive case, shedding light on food-related biases.

“My food is my pride, and perceptions of what smells good or bad depend on cultural backgrounds.”

Reports indicated this incident was framed as a case of ‘food racism,’ particularly with Prakash facing derogatory comments about his microwaved meals.

Accusations of Retaliation

The couple alleged they endured various “microaggressions” and retaliatory actions after a staff member raised concerns about the “odor” of Prakash’s food. Employees claimed it had a “pungent” smell and informed him there was a policy against heating aromatic foods. In response, Prakash asserted that such rules were non-existent, stating, “It’s just food. I heat it up and leave.”

He later inquired about what foods were considered too spicy or aromatic and was reportedly told that curry fell into the “stinky” category, whereas sandwiches did not.

Research Funding and Lawsuit

The couple claimed they ultimately lost funding for their research as well as teaching positions, leading them to file a lawsuit. However, Prakash clarified that their fight wasn’t merely about the money.

“It was about highlighting that there are repercussions for discriminating against Indians for simply being Indian,” he remarked.

Prakash also claimed he faced “systemic racism,” particularly regarding his department allegedly not granting him a master’s degree.

Deciding to seek legal action, they filed a lawsuit in May 2025, which outlined discriminatory practices and escalating retaliation. The university settled in September that same year, reportedly agreeing to award the degrees without any future obligations for the students while barring them from any study or work there again.

The Dish in Controversy

At the heart of this issue was a dish called palak paneer, which features strong ingredients. It primarily consists of spinach and paneer, a soft cheese akin to cottage cheese, often spiced with onions, ginger, garlic, and chili powder.

Prakash expressed that he believed his food merely carried a distinctive aroma.

“My food represents my culture, and judgments on what constitutes a pleasant or unpleasant smell differ across cultures,” he noted.

Context Matters

A counterargument Prakash encountered was that even broccoli could have an unpleasant smell, to which he responded, asserting that “context matters”. He added, “How many groups face discrimination for eating broccoli?”

His fiancée remarked that the political climate, notably during President Trump’s administration, has diminished empathy toward immigrants.

“Institutions often talk about inclusion but struggle to handle discomfort, particularly when it comes from immigrants and people of color,” she contended.

University’s Response

The university stated it couldn’t discuss specific allegations due to privacy policies but expressed its commitment to creating an inclusive environment for individuals of all backgrounds.

“We take discrimination claims seriously and acted based on our established processes when these situations arose in 2023,” the university communicated. “An agreement was reached in September 2025, and we deny any liability in this matter.”

Though the couple has not returned to the U.S. since, Prakash has indicated intentions to try again, reflecting, “If this incident sends a message against ‘food racism’ and shows that Indians will stand up for themselves, then that would be a significant victory.”