Foreign students attacked ‘over Ramzan prayers’ at Gujarat University

Five foreign national students studying at Gujarat University suffered severe injuries following a late-night brawl at the campus, Indian police said.

The students, who are from Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka, were offering namaz in their rooms when a group of people allegedly protested and shouted religious slogans, police said. This led to an altercation between the two groups. 

The incident took place at Block A hostel where the foreign students reside, said police.

Several visuals shared on social media showed a group of people pelting stones in the hostel and vandalising bikes. At least five vehicles were damaged in the incident.

Ahmedabad city additional commissioner of police (ACP) (crime) Neerajkumar Badgujar said that a first information report (FIR) has been filed and assured that the attackers will be arrested soon.

Speaking to the reporters, Ahmedabad commissioner of police GS Malik said, “Around 300 foreign students study in Gujarat University, and 75 foreign students stay in A Block (Hostel). Yesterday, around 10:30pm, a group of students were offering namaz. Around 20-25 people came and asked them why they were offering namaz here and should read it in the masjid. An argument broke out between them, stones were pelted, and their rooms were vandalised by the people who came from outside…”

Malik said that the police took swift action, and an FIR has been registered against 20-25 people. Police have identified at least one accused and strict action will be taken against all those involved, he said. Two students from Sri Lanka & Tajikistan have been admitted to the SVP Hospital, said the commissioner.

"Last night around 11pm, 10-15 people from outside came into our hostel campus. Three of them entered our hostel building while we were offering namaz. They told us we were not allowed to do so here and shouted slogans of Jai Shri Ram,” a student from Afghanistan who was present during the incident said.

The student claimed that the police reached there after the intruders fled the spot.

Gujarat home minister Harsh Sanghavi has convened an urgent meeting with senior officials, including the director general of police (DGP) of Gujarat Police and the joint commissioner of police (JCP) of the crime branch to address the matter, said an official.

Gujarat University vice-chancellor Neerja Gupta did not respond to calls. Gujarat University police station PI SR Bava said they were investigating the matter and refused to divulge more details at this stage.

Source: Hindustan Times