Indian mob attacks foreign students over namaz
New Delhi: Students from different countries were assaulted at Gujarat University campus, allegedly by a group that did not want them to offer namaz at the hostel, Indian media reported.
Some injured students have been admitted to SVP Hospital in Ahmedabad, the report said.
“Around 300 foreign students from Africa, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and other countries study at the Gujarat University,” Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G. S. Malik said while talking to media.
“In Block A, around 75 foreign students, who live there, were offering prayers at their hostel yesterday around 10:30pm”, he said.
“Some 20-25 people entered the hostel premises and objected to the international students offering namaz there, asking them to do so in a mosque. They argued over the issue, assaulted them and hurled stones”, Malik said revealed.
However, the police commissioner claimed, the situation was under control. An FIR was registered against 20-25 suspects and they would be arrested soon, the officer said.
Gujarat University vice chancellor Neerja Arun Gupta said violence erupted due to a “clash” between two groups. The police and government were taking the matter very seriously, she remarked.
The Ministry of External Affairs said it had taken cognizance of the matter and was in touch with the state government.
