Assault on students during Ramadan prayers in India

In a concerning incident at Gujarat University in western India, international students were reportedly assaulted while observing Ramadan prayers, resulting in the arrest of five individuals by Indian authorities. The altercation, believed to have been sparked by a disagreement over the location of the prayers, escalated into a physical attack within the university hostel premises.

According to police sources, a group of approximately two dozen individuals entered the hostel on Saturday evening, objecting to the students’ prayer activities and insisting they relocate to a mosque. The confrontation escalated into violence, with the students being assaulted and their living quarters vandalized.

The injured students, numbering five in total, received medical treatment for their injuries. Names of the arrested individuals, including Hitesh Mewada, Bharat Patel, Shitij Pandey, Jitendra Patel, and Sunil Dudhirua, were disclosed by senior police officials. However, no public statements have been made by the detainees during their custody. Authorities have hinted at the possibility of additional arrests as investigations continue.

While the exact motives behind the assault remain under investigation, reports suggest that the attackers may not have affiliations with specific political or religious organizations.

Eyewitnesses and circulating online videos depict a chaotic scene, with a mob chanting Hindu religious slogans as they perpetrated the assault, damaged property, and vandalized vehicles.

Though three of the injured students have been discharged from the hospital, two remain in stable condition. Testimonies from affected students, such as Navid Siddique and Noman, shed light on the severity of the attack and recurring tensions faced by foreign students in the region.

The incident underscores broader concerns regarding the safety and security of international students in India. Gujarat University officials, led by Vice-Chancellor Dr. Neerja A Gupta, have acknowledged past tensions and pledged to relocate foreign students to safer accommodations.

This incident is not isolated, as similar tensions over Muslim prayers have been reported in India previously. In response, authorities have taken steps to address the underlying issues, including suspensions and heightened security measures.