Ahmedabad, India – In the state of Gujarat, Western India, authorities have apprehended five individuals believed to be connected to a violent assault on foreign Muslim students at Gujarat University in Ahmedabad. The students were engaging in special prayers during the holy month of Ramadan when they were attacked by a group of 20 to 25 people on the university hostel premises.
The incident, which resulted in injuries to several students from various countries, including Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, and African nations, has raised concerns about the safety of international students in India. The attack is viewed as a setback to the government’s ‘Study in India’ initiative, designed to attract foreign students to prestigious Indian institutions.
With around 300 foreign students enrolled at Gujarat University, the perpetrators forcibly disrupted the students’ prayers outside their hostel during Taraweeh, a special nightly congregation during Ramadan. The lack of a mosque on the campus led to a confrontation as the attackers demanded the students pray elsewhere, resulting in physical assaults and property damage.
Videos circulating on social media captured the attackers hurling stones and chanting Hindu slogans, prompting swift action by authorities and condemnation from various groups. The incident has sparked fear among foreign students, with some expressing concerns about their safety and ability to continue their studies in a volatile environment.
In response, Gujarat University has implemented security measures and relocated the affected students to a designated hostel. The university administration is working to improve security and establish a foreign student advisory committee to address grievances and ensure the safety of international students on campus. The government officials have also taken steps to investigate the incident and hold the perpetrators accountable.
While tensions persist between the foreign students and the attackers, efforts are being made to restore a sense of security and normalcy for the international student community. The violence against the students has drawn condemnation from organizations advocating for tolerance and pluralism, emphasizing the need for justice and accountability in such incidents.