A group of international students were attacked by a mob in the Gujarat University hostel, leaving five students injured. The attack took place during the night when the students were offering namaz within the hostel premises. State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi has ordered a thorough investigation to apprehend the culprits responsible for the incident.
According to the victims, the conflict erupted when the students gathered in the hostel to perform ‘Taraweeh’, a night prayer during Ramzan. The mob, armed with sticks and knives, forcefully entered the hostel, assaulted the students, and caused extensive damage to property. The security personnel at the hostel were unable to prevent the attack, resulting in a terrifying ordeal for the international students.
Dr. Neerja Gupta, the vice chancellor, expressed seriousness in addressing the matter and assured that administrative decisions would be taken promptly. She also mentioned that the police are collaborating with the university to investigate whether the attackers were university students or outsiders. Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the incident, questioning the silence of national leaders and emphasizing the implications of communal tensions.
Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner J.S. Malik confirmed that an investigation is underway to ensure justice and the protection of all students. An Afghan student shared a chilling account of the attack, describing how the assailants barged into their rooms, vandalized belongings, and chanted provocative slogans. The injured students, hailing from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan, and two African countries, were hospitalized, and their respective embassies were informed about the incident. The attackers managed to escape before the police arrived on the scene.
