Ahmedabad, India – Two weeks after a group of foreign students at Gujarat University were attacked and injured for offering namaz during Ramzan, they express disappointment not only in the assault but also in the alleged police inaction that allowed some attackers to escape. The incident, which took place on March 16, saw a mob of 20 to 25 people assaulting students in the university’s hostel Block A, where around 75 foreign students reside. This violent attack left five students injured, with two requiring hospitalization. Most of the foreign students studying at Gujarat University are under the Indian Council of Cultural Relations scholarship, with a majority coming from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and various African nations.
Chisomo Tolani, a foreign student from Malawi pursuing his PhD in computer science at the university, described the chaos that unfolded that night as the mob brandished sticks, attacked students, and vandalized their belongings. The assault was targeted at Muslim students offering Ramzan prayers, leading to tensions that escalated quickly. Despite the presence of police on-site, immediate action was not taken, leaving students feeling vulnerable and scared.
Following the attack, only five arrests have been made, all of which were outsiders except for one resident of Ahmedabad. The arrested individuals are not known to have any affiliation with right-wing groups. Investigations into the incident revealed simmering tensions between foreign and local students over religious practices, including the offering of namaz and the consumption of non-vegetarian food. University authorities have since taken steps to ensure the safety of foreign students, relocating them to a new hostel block with enhanced security measures.
In the aftermath of the incident, officials from the Union Ministry of External Affairs and Afghanistan’s consul-general in India visited the university to discuss security measures for foreign students. The incident has raised concerns about the image of Gujarat University, known for its diverse student population, and efforts are being made to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The police investigation is ongoing, with students hoping for justice and accountability for the violent attack they experienced.