A major American university has paid a settlement exceeding $200,000 to an Indian doctoral student after a complaint about the smell of his homemade lunch spiralled into a federal civil rights lawsuit.
The Lunch That Sparked a Legal Battle
The incident began in September 2023 at the University of Colorado Boulder. A staff member complained about the "pungent" aroma coming from Aditya Prakash's packed meal of palak paneer, a classic Indian dish featuring spinach and cheese. This led to the invocation of a departmental rule prohibiting foods with "strong odours" in the shared microwave.
When Prakash and his partner, fellow doctoral candidate Urmi Bhattacheryya, challenged what they perceived as discriminatory targeting, they faced severe academic repercussions. The university took disciplinary action against them, which included the loss of their PhD supervisors and crucial funding, putting their research and futures in jeopardy.
From Kitchen to Courtroom
In response, the couple took legal action. They filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in September 2025, alleging both discrimination and retaliation by the institution. The university, while continuing to deny any liability, chose to settle the case just four months later in January 2026.
The settlement agreement had significant terms for both parties. Prakash and Bhattacheryya received financial compensation totalling over $200,000. Furthermore, they were awarded Master's degrees from the university. However, the settlement also permanently barred them from future enrolment or employment at the University of Colorado Boulder, effectively ending their academic careers at that institution.
A Costly Lesson in Inclusion
This case highlights the serious consequences that can arise from cultural insensitivity in academic and workplace environments. What began as a minor complaint about a lunchtime smell escalated into a costly legal dispute, alleging the infringement of civil rights.
The outcome serves as a stark reminder to institutions about the importance of fostering inclusive environments and handling complaints with proportionality and cultural awareness. The settlement, while resolving the immediate legal conflict, raises broader questions about diversity, accommodation, and the protection of international students' rights on campus.
