Gujarat: 5 Injured After Mob Attacks Foreign Students In Middle Of Their Prayers In Ahmedabad

A violent incident occurred at a Gujarat University hostel late last night, where a mob attacked international students from African countries, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan, allegedly for conducting namaz. Five international students sustained injuries in the attack.

State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi has reportedly instructed Gujarat’s top police officials to swiftly apprehend the culprits and ensure a thorough investigation. According to the affected students, as there is no mosque on the campus in Ahmedabad, they had gathered inside the hostel to offer Taraweeh, a night-time prayer during Ramadan.

A mob armed with sticks and knives stormed the hostel, assaulting the students and causing damage to their rooms. Despite efforts by the hostel’s security guard to intervene, the mob persisted.

One student from Afghanistan recounted that the mob questioned their right to conduct namaz in the hostel and proceeded to attack them, damaging their belongings in the process. The five injured students include individuals from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan, and African countries. Despite the arrival of the police, the mob had already dispersed. The injured students are currently receiving treatment at the hospital and have notified their respective embassies.

Social media posts depict the aftermath of the attack, showcasing damaged property and the distress of the international students. Some videos depict individuals hurling stones at the hostel and verbally abusing the overseas students. In one video, a member of the mob questions a security guard about the namaz, leading to further confrontation.

Hyderabad MP and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi has condemned the incident, questioning whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah will intervene in the matter.