Mob allegedly assaults foreign students at Gujarat University over location for Ramadan prayers

A group of four foreign students residing at Gujarat University's international boys' hostel in Ahmedabad were assaulted by a mob on Saturday night, allegedly due to their observance of namaaz in the campus ground, media reports said. Two students were injured in the incident, including one sustaining severe injuries.

Providing an update on the incident,Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "An incidence of violence took place at Gujarat University in Ahmedabad yesterday. The state government is taking strict action against the perpetrators. Two foreign students were injured in the clash. One of them has been discharged from hospital after receiving medical attention. MEA is in touch with the Gujarat government."

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The police have initiated an investigation into the matter following the filing of a First Information Report (FIR).

Ahmedabad Police Chief GS Mallik and Gujarat University Vice-Chancellor Neerja Gupta visited the hostel on Sunday (Mar 17) morning upon learning about the incident. Gupta mentioned that there used to be some already existing issues between the involved parties.

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“Somebody informed the police control room at 10.51 pm and a PCR van reached the spot at 10.56 pm,” Malik said, adding, “We have taken serious note of the incident and strict action will be taken.”

“Nine teams have been formed (to probe the incident). One accused has been identified and the police will arrest (all) the accused,” he reportedly said.

The international students were from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, andUzbekistan, reports said adding that the students were attacked while offering late-night prayers.

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Some videos have been doing the rounds where the individuals were seen vandalising two-wheelers.

Police Commissioner Malik said the foreign students were praying in the ground, when a group of 20-25 individuals approached themand objected to their choice of location for prayers, when one of them who was praying slapped the student who was objecting. The incident led to a scuffle and violence.

Videos of the incident have gone viral on social media, though WION could not ascertain their veracity.

Gujarat University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Neerja Gupta highlighted the need for cultural orientation sessions for foreign students, acknowledging existing tensions between different student groups. She affirmed the university's commitment to providing a safe and culturally sensitive environment for international students.

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“As per the information available to me, this (namaaz) is not the basic issue. There were already some differences between the groups. This is a matter of investigation. The issue cannot take such a major form in one day and after one incident. An FIR was registered immediately,” she said.

“This is a very sensitive issue for us. They are foreign students and when they go to foreign countries there is a need to be culturally sensitive. From this incident, it has emerged that there is still a need for cultural orientation. We will sit with them (foreign students) and try to understand what they feel and what can be done and how to strengthen their security. We will sit with them and provide that cultural orientation,” professor Gupta added.

(With inputs from agencies)