Attacks on African students come up for discussion in Rajya Sabha

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 30

The Rajya Sabha on Thursday adjourned after the opposition protested on issues, including its demand for discussion on the Goa Governor’s conduct.                       

JD-U leader Sharad Yadav raised the issue of racial attacks on African students and asked the government to deal with it on priority.                                           

Sitaram Yechury of the CPM said if there could be cow protection laws in some states, law should also be passed to protect African students.   

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"Don’t bring the cow into it,” said Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien but asked the government to take the matter seriously. “If we condemn racial attacks against Indians in other countries, we should also ensure such incidents do not take place in our country,” Kurien said.                        

Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj called the incidents “extremely painful”. Swaraj said she talked to UP CM Yogi Adityanath asking him for factual position and urging him to conduct an investigation.

Swaraj assured the House that the government was fully alert to ensure such incidents were not repeated. “Let us wait for the result of the investigation,” Swaraj said.

Answering the supplementaries in the Rajya Sabha, Swaraj said the government is aware of death of each and every person in Gulf countries, and it is wrong to say that it is not aware of happenings there.                       

Swaraj said the government is pursuing the matter related to “excess fares” being charged by airlines from labourers in Gulf countries during the festival season.