A dispute that began over heating a dish in a microwave has ended with two Indian students winning a $200,000 settlement from a US university. Aditya Prakash and his fiancée, Urmi Bhattacheryya, told the BBC they filed a civil rights lawsuit against the University of Colorado, Boulder, after they faced a series of 'microaggressions and retaliatory actions' following the microwave incident. The harassment began, the lawsuit alleged, after a university staff member objected to Prakash heating up his lunch of palak paneer - a traditional Indian dish made of pureed spinach and paneer - in a microwave on campus, stating the smell was offensive. In a response, the university indicated their commitment to an inclusive environment but did not detail specific accusations due to privacy laws. Prakash cited the lawsuit's motive as highlighting the consequences of discriminating against cultural identities. This incident has sparked discussions regarding 'food racism', resonating with many who faced similar discrimination abroad. Both students claimed to experience retaliation, which led to losing their funding and academic support. In September 2025, they reached a settlement which included the university denying liability but agreeing to grant their degrees. The couple asserted that their case represented broader societal issues regarding food and racial discrimination, underscoring ongoing conversations around the stigmatization of cultural food practices.