- Hindu mob attacks praying students
- Investigation underway, arrests made
- Cultural sensitivity training suggested
Local media have reported that a Hindu far-right mob invaded a university hostel in the western Indian state of Gujarat and attacked a group of students who were offering prayers during the holy month of Ramadan, resulting in at least four injuries to international students.
In connection with the attack at the Gujarat University, the local police in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that an investigation was underway on Sunday. The Ministry of External Affairs of India vowed “strict actions against the perpetrators.”
Students informed local media that a small group convened inside the boys’ hostel on Saturday night to perform the Ramadan tarawih prayer, given that the Ahmedabad University campus lacks a mosque. They reported that shortly after that, a mob armed with sticks and blades stormed the hostel, attacked them, and vandalized their rooms.
“Thirteen students were in their prayers when three individuals approached and began chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ [Lord Ram, praiseworthy].” “They objected to our praying here,” a student was quoted as saying by local media.
“About 250 individuals arrived after a while and began to shout ‘Jai Shri Ram’.” Hospitality property was vandalized, and stones were flung.
An Afghan student reported to the local NDTV network, “They also attacked us inside the rooms.” In addition, laptops, phones, and bicycles were damaged, and the air conditioning and sound system were devastated.
Student dormitories were ransacked, and a mob destroyed the students’ motorcycles with long tools, as captured on videos uploaded to X.
In a video captured from the hostel, an African student declared, “We cannot continue living in this manner.” Loud shouting and the noises of objects being destroyed, shattered, and smashed by the mob can be heard in the background.
“We travelled to India to pursue higher education but are now the target of an attack due to the observance of Ramadan and the prayers of Muslims.” “They have begun disassembling the bicycles, and everything is being demolished downstairs,” he explained.
Two of the students were reported to be in critical condition at a hospital by the Indian Express news website. The attack targeted students from Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and various African nations.
Constraints regarding the perpetrators’ behaviour
“Towards 10:30 p.m. yesterday, a congregation of students engaged in prayer. Twenty to twenty-five individuals approached them and inquired why they were praying there. When they could go to the mosque instead, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik told reporters on Sunday during a briefing.
An altercation ensued between them, resulting in the pelting of stones and the vandalization of their chambers by individuals from the exterior.
He further stated that twenty to twenty-five individuals have been named in a complaint, of which one has been identified. He announced the formation of nine investigation teams into the incident.
Five individuals have been apprehended for the assault.
The External Affairs Ministry of India stated on X that “strict action is being taken against the perpetrators” by the state government.
Two international students sustained injuries during the altercation. “One of them was released from the hospital following medical treatment,” spokesman Randhit Jaiswal added.
Member of parliament for the southern city of Hyderabad, Asaduddin Owaisi, urged Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “intervene to send a strong message?”
“That is unfortunate.” “Devotion and religious slogans are only revealed when Muslims engage in peaceful religious practice,” he wrote on X.
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“India’s goodwill is being eroded by domestic anti-Muslim animosity,” he wrote, tagging India’s external affairs minister, S Jaishankar.
Far-right Hindu organizations have opposed the performance of Muslim prayers in public spaces. A police officer was suspended earlier this month in the capital city of New Delhi for kicking Muslim men who were praying by the side of the road.
Dr. Neerja A. Gupta, vice chancellor of Gujarat University, told local media that “cultural sensitivity” training is necessary for international students.
“These are international students, and one must develop cultural sensitivity to succeed abroad. This student body requires an orientation. Gupta was quoted by NDTV as saying, “We will sit down with them, provide cultural orientation, and discuss ways to bolster their security.”
