Barbaric behaviour

The recent mob attack on two Nigerian students in Greater Noida is a grim reminder of the racial undercurrent that rears its ugly head time and again. By all accounts, bystanders were beaten by a mob. The attack was brutal, leaving the victims badly injured. The two brothers were shopping in a mall. They became the target of mob ire apparently because of the colour of their skin. The alleged provocation was the death, of suspected overdose, of an Indian teenager in the area, and the association of African nationals with drugs. The rot has spread wide. 

The External Affairs Minister’s prompt intervention has defused the situation to a certain extent, with the UP Chief Minister promising an impartial inquiry into the incident, and the police arresting some people. That is certainly reassuring. However, this is not enough. Small incidents usually blow up when the administration is caught napping, as it was in this case. Immediate proactive steps by the local administrators could have nipped the evil in the bud. 

There have been too many incidents in this country where people from the African continent have been targeted. This can only be stopped when there is a clear message that any discrimination against foreigners at any level will not be tolerated. It is an unfortunate reality that India now has the dubious distinction of being among the countries where foreigners are not considered safe. As a people, we Indians too have to introspect. Intolerance and racism should have no business in our social, cultural and political life. India has a hoary tradition of being a caring host to foreign visitors. African students have enriched the Indian academic life both as students, and, less frequently, as teachers for decades. They come to India for the cultural richness and educational infrastructure, not to be singled out as strangers, and certainly not to be in a situation where they are apprehensive about their personal safety.