India: Rampaging mob attacks international students at Gujarat University hostel during Ramadan prayers

A Hindu far-right mob wreaked havoc at Gujarat University’s hostel, targeting international students as they gathered for Ramadan prayers.

Reports indicate that at least four foreign students suffered injuries amidst the violent onslaught, prompting outrage and calls for justice.

The incident unfolded on Saturday night within the university premises in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, as a group of students congregated for the Tarawih prayer, an essential ritual during the holy month of Ramadan. Lamentably, the absence of a mosque on campus led them to seek solace in the confines of the hostel.

Eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing ordeal, describing how the tranquility of the prayer session was shattered by the arrival of an enraged mob brandishing sticks and knives.

Shouts of “Jai Shri Ram” pierced the air as the attackers stormed the hostel, unleashing a wave of violence upon the unsuspecting students. Rooms were ransacked, personal belongings vandalized, and valuable possessions destroyed in a frenzied display of aggression.

Terrifying footage captured the extent of the chaos, depicting shattered dormitories and vandalized property strewn in the mob’s wake.

In a poignant video plea, one African student lamented the senseless assault, underscoring the stark reality faced by international students who had journeyed to India in pursuit of education, only to be met with hostility and bigotry.

Among the victims were students hailing from Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and various African nations, highlighting the diverse demographic impacted by the attack.

Shockingly, some students sustained severe injuries, necessitating medical attention and hospitalization.

In the aftermath of the incident, authorities have launched an investigation into the perpetrators, with promises of swift and stringent action against those responsible.

Gujarat University’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Neerja A. Gupta, emphasized the importance of cultural sensitivity and proposed initiatives to provide orientation and enhance security measures for international students.

The appalling assault has sparked widespread condemnation, with calls for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene and address the alarming rise of anti-Muslim sentiment within the country.

As the injured students recuperate and the scars of the attack linger, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need to safeguard the rights and safety of all individuals, regardless of their background or beliefs.