Ahmedabad, India – Authorities in the state of Gujarat, Western India, have apprehended five individuals believed to be involved in a violent incident targeting foreign Muslim students at Gujarat University in Ahmedabad. The students, hailing from various countries and observing prayers during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, were assaulted outside their university hostel by a group of assailants.
Several students sustained injuries, with individuals from Sri Lanka and Tajikistan requiring hospitalization due to severe wounds inflicted during the attack. The incident, which occurred during a period of communal prayers, has raised concerns and brought attention to the safety of international students in India.
The violence has been deemed a setback to the government’s ‘Study in India’ initiative, designed to attract foreign students to Indian educational institutions, underscoring the need for improved security measures and the protection of international students. The attack has also sparked discussions about religious tolerance and inclusivity on university campuses in the country.
Muslims offering prayers in public spaces has become a contentious issue in India, prompting clashes between different religious groups. The lack of a mosque on the Gujarat University campus led to the students gathering in their hostel areas for prayers, which ultimately resulted in the violent altercation.
Authorities have taken steps to address the security concerns, with arrests made in connection to the attack and plans to bolster security measures at the university. Despite these efforts, foreign students expressed unease and fear following the incident, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and support from both university administrations and law enforcement.
The University’s response to the incident, including the replacement of key personnel and the establishment of a foreign student advisory committee, aims to ensure the well-being and safety of international students on campus. However, questions about the recurring nature of such attacks and the underlying tensions between foreign students and assailants remain unresolved, requiring further investigation and intervention from relevant authorities.
In the aftermath of the attack, various organizations, including Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, have condemned the violence and called for swift justice against the perpetrators. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs, within educational institutions.