The most shocking turn of intolerance took place on the campus of Gujarat University last night when a citizen’s group led a crowd on a rampage, assaulting and injuring five foreign students from African nations, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. What are the motives behind such terrible actions? This decision of students’ is to have namaz against the backdrop of the hostel during Ramadan, which is rubbing the Muslims during the month of Ramadan.
As the aggrieved students mentioned, the Ahmedabad campus does not have a dedicated mosque. It is highly probable that the students will perform Taraweeh within the hostels during their Ramadan fast. Consequently, the tranquillity they cherished for their prayers turned to maelstrom when the mob, brandishing clubs and knives, suddenly beset them, unleashing an ocean of aggression upon them.
The images and videos that were shared on all social media platforms showed a bleak picture of dashing cycles, damaged laptops and sorry hostel rooms – the debris of the mob’s destructive riots. Some of the provided shots show the aggressors that storm stones and screamings at the international students who try to defend themselves from attack. Students are too scared for their lives. However, they still hear the voice of compassion and justice saying they should not be treated like that.
Another student from Afghanistan illustrated the moments of terror and how the mob greeted them, chanting slogans demanding the reason for their worship inside the same space.
“They overpowered us inside the building as well. They destroyed laptops, smartphones and damaged bikes,”
The young man uttered in a confused and troubled way.
The situation has ignited the nations anger as many outspoken people have lambasted the secular faiths hateful expression. Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chairman Asaduddin Owaisi had an uproar. They enforced on social media whether Narendra Modi and Amit Shah would target this issue or not to send a blunt message against such hatred.
Faced with this incident, Harsh Sanghavi, the State’s Home Minister, immediately spoke to the top police officials in Gujarat and ordered them to arrest this perpetrator immediately and conduct the investigation fairly and impartially. J S Malik, the Ahmedabad city police commissioner, confirmed that the investigation into the attack has been started, comprising 9 teams that were purposely developed for the identification and apprehension of perpetrators immediately after the attack.
Even though it has now been brought under control, the episode made many important questions pop up regarding communal tolerance and the security of foreign students in India. Dr Neerja Gupta, Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University, thus cornered the spotlight by stressing the need for cultural sensitivity training, highlighting that inclusivity and mutual understanding should be the key ingredients while developing such strategies.
The nation is stung by the severe shock of recent events. It is time for action and new pledges to cherish our diversity and equality as never before.
