Who Is Tinkle? The 4-Year-Old Arunachal Girl Behind the Viral ‘Humko Indian Bolo’ Video — and Her Call With Kiren Rijiju

A four-year-old girl from Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, named Tinkle Karga Gongo has captured national attention after an unscripted video of her firmly asserting her identity went viral across Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and news broadcasts.

Tinkle’s simple, heartfelt appeal—asking people to stop referring to her as Chinese and to recognize her as Indian—struck a deep chord across the country. The momentum behind the viral video reached the highest levels of government when Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju connected with the young girl on a video call, reassuring her that "the whole of India loves you."

What Did Tinkle Say in the Viral Video?

The viral moment emerged from an everyday family interaction in Itanagar. According to reporting by India Today NE, Tinkle had asked her mother, Aiyum Karde, for money to buy ice cream. Following an exchange where her identity and appearance were questioned on social media, Tinkle felt deeply hurt and insisted her mother record a video explaining how the remark made her feel. watch video here

In the short clip recorded at home, Tinkle spoke directly to the camera in Hindi, expressing both her frustration and her pride:

"Hum log Indian hain. Aap humko Chinese bolne se hum bohot gussa hotey hain, bohot dukhi hote hain. Humko Indian bolo. Hum India ka hai. Hum Itanagar mein rehte hai."

(We are Indians. When you call us Chinese, we get very angry and very sad. Call us Indian. We belong to India. We live in Itanagar.)

Her candid expression highlights an issue frequently faced by people from Northeast India: being subjected to racial stereotyping based on physical appearance. Within days of her mother posting the video, it was shared hundreds of thousands of times across platforms, with viewers praising her clarity and courage.

What Happened When Kiren Rijiju Spoke to Tinkle?

On August 26, 2026, during an exclusive studio interview with India Today, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju—who also hails from Arunachal Pradesh—was shown the viral clip. When asked if he would like to speak with the young girl, Rijiju readily agreed, leading to a live video call with Tinkle.

Publicly broadcast footage and social media posts shared by Tinkle’s family reveal a lighthearted exchange:

• The Greeting: Tinkle, who had just woken up from an afternoon nap, innocently asked the Minister, "Aap kaun hain?" (Who are you?).

• The Response: Rijiju smiled and replied in Hindi: "Main Kiren Rijiju hoon… aapka mummy ko puchho." (I am Kiren Rijiju... ask your mother.)

• The Message: The Union Minister asked about her parents, inquired about who had teased her, and offered warm reassurance. "Now the whole of India loves you," Rijiju told her. "You have become very famous. You know that?"

• The Invitation: Rijiju invited Tinkle and her family to join him for dinner whenever she visits Delhi, promising to also meet her personally during his next visit to Itanagar.

Following the interaction, Tinkle’s mother posted a video snippet of the call on Instagram (@karga_tinkle_gongo), thanking the Minister for reaching out and sharing that Tinkle would love to meet him in person.

What Did Kiren Rijiju Say About Tinkle?

Taking to social media and speaking during his broadcast interview, Kiren Rijiju highlighted how Tinkle's video shed light on national unity and mutual respect.

By connecting with Tinkle directly, the Minister echoed the feelings of millions of viewers who rallied behind the four-year-old, framing her message as a reminder of the diverse yet unified identity of India.

Why Tinkle's Video Went Viral

Several factors contributed to the widespread reach of Tinkle’s video:

1. Unfiltered Authenticity: Unlike staged content, Tinkle’s emotional reaction was completely unscripted and direct.

2. Confronting Ignorance: The video directly challenged casual racial stereotyping that citizens from Northeastern states often endure in mainland conversations.

3. Simplicity of Message: A four-year-old clearly articulating "Hum log Indian hain" cut through complex political debates to deliver an undeniable truth about national belonging.

4. Amplification by Public Figures: Once regional journalists, creators, and political leaders like Kiren Rijiju shared and reacted to the video, its reach expanded nationwide.

How Are People Reacting Online?

Online sentiment surrounding Tinkle has been overwhelmingly positive, giving rise to broader discussions about civic education and inclusion:

• Outpour of Support: Users across X and Instagram expressed admiration for her confidence, calling her "Arunachal's pride" and a "national cutie."

• Calls for Awareness: Many commentators stressed that adults across India must educate themselves and their children to end casual discrimination against fellow citizens from Northeast India.

• Praise for Family: Viewers praised Tinkle's parents for encouraging her to speak up while maintaining her innocence.

Speaking to reporters, Tinkle’s father emphasized that the incident should serve as a constructive lesson:

"Whether it involves a child or an adult, no one should make such remarks. It is a good thing that my daughter raised her voice... We hope that people across mainstream India will understand this issue and the pain felt when identity is questioned."

What We Know — and What We Don't

To ensure accurate, responsible reporting, here is a breakdown of verified facts versus unverified claims regarding the story:

15. FAQ

1. Who is Tinkle from Arunachal Pradesh?

Tinkle Karga Gongo is a 4-year-old girl from Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, who became a viral internet sensation in August 2026.

2. Why did Tinkle's video go viral?

Her video went viral after she reacted to comments questioning her identity by stating firmly and emotionally in Hindi: "Hum log Indian hain. Humko Indian bolo."

3. What did Tinkle say in her viral video?

She said: "Hum log Indian hain. Aap humko Chinese bolne se hum bohot gussa hotey hain, bohot dukhi hote hain. Humko Indian bolo. Hum India ka hai. Hum Itanagar mein rehte hai."

4. Did Kiren Rijiju speak to Tinkle?

Yes. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju interacted with Tinkle on a live video call during a news broadcast on August 26, 2026.

5. What did Kiren Rijiju say to Tinkle during the video call?

Rijiju told Tinkle, "Now the whole of India loves you. You have become very famous," and invited her to join him for dinner when she visits Delhi.

6. How did Tinkle react when Kiren Rijiju called her?

Having just woken up from a nap, Tinkle innocently asked, "Aap kaun hain?" (Who are you?), to which the Minister warmly introduced himself.

7. Where is Tinkle from?

She is from Itanagar, the capital city of Arunachal Pradesh, India.

8. Who posted Tinkle's original video online?

Her mother, Aiyum Karde, posted the video on social media after Tinkle requested to record a clip explaining her feelings.

9. What message did Tinkle's family share after the video went viral?

Her father expressed gratitude for the widespread support but reminded the public that no one should make stereotyping remarks about people from Northeast India.

10. Is Tinkle's family on social media?

Her mother manages an Instagram handle (@karga_tinkle_gongo) where family updates and her interaction with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju were posted.