New Delhi (Sputnik) — Shortly after the death of a Congolese student in New Delhi, a Nigerian student was assaulted and beaten with an iron rod by a Hyderabad resident after the two got into an argument over parking. The incident took place in the city's posh Banjara Hills neighborhood. The Nigerian student, Ghazeem, sustained severe injuries.
Masunda Kitada Oliver, a Congolese student, was killed last week in Delhi, angering African diplomats; the African Heads of Mission demanded that the culprit be dealt with swiftly and severely.
They are concerned that Africans are living in fear in India and that the government must take immediate measures to provide them with a sense of security.
Meanwhile, in what appears to be a series of reprisals, several Indian students and shops were reportedly attacked in Congo on Thursday.
Congolese student murder backlash:Indian shops attacked in Congo — https://t.co/406aNEK3ht#Congolesestudentmurder #congolese
— We For News (@WeForNews) May 27, 2016
Indian Minister of State for External Affairs V. K. Singh met the African Heads of Mission and assured the safety and security of African nationals in India. He told them that these incidents hadn't' been racially motivated.
Attack On #Congolese National Not Racial One: Vk Singh https://t.co/VuMpQHCu1n pic.twitter.com/o8JRK8wFf5
— RiskMap (@Riskmapintel) May 27, 2016
Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup told Sputnik that “It would be unfortunate that a few isolated cases are generalized to portray a climate of insecurity for African students. It is also not right to characterize criminal acts as being racially motivated. Thousands of African students continue to benefit from the Indian education system without any issues. We are committed to work closely with the African diplomats and student communities to ensure full safety and security of all African students in India.”
On reports of a Nigerian student injured in Hyderabad: EAM @SushmaSwaraj has urgently sought report from State Govt, is monitoring the case
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) May 27, 2016
“The External Affairs Minister is personally monitoring this matter. We are also instituting a practice of regular interaction with African Heads of Mission. Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh will also conduct outreach with the African student community,” spokesperson said.
On behalf of my @MEAIndia and govt of #India, I condemn the murder of #Congolese national says @Gen_VKSingh.
— Parul Chandra (@ParulChandraP) May 26, 2016
Vikas Swarup further added that, “I would like to reiterate that India remains open to our brothers and sisters from Africa and there should no cause for concern.”
The Indian government is trying to assuage the feelings of African nationals and diplomats through various measures, but the increasing number of attacks on Africans is cause for concern and it will impact the country's ties with African nations.
