Gujarat University plans sensitivity exercise for foreigners in Namaz platoon

The police said that the case has been filed and the situation is under control

Ahmedabad:

The University will conduct orientation programs for overseas students to train them in “cultural sensitivity”, Vice-Chancellor Dr Neerja A Gupta said today. Hours earlier, a mob stormed a hotel and attacked foreign students who were holding worship services on campus.

Five international students were injured in a mob attack last night. The police have registered an FIR and formed nine teams to search for the goons. Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik said strict action will be taken against those involved. There are about 300 overseas students at Gujarat University.

Principal Dr Gupta told the media there had been some tension between the rioters and some overseas students and yesterday’s incident had escalated the situation. “The matter is currently under police investigation,” she said.

Dr Gupta said because the students were from overseas, they needed “cultural sensitivity” training. “These are foreign students and when you go abroad you have to learn cultural sensitivity. These students need a mentor. We will sit with them and provide cultural mentoring and discuss how to enhance their safety.”

International students say there is no mosque on campus, so they gather in their dormitories for “taraweeh” – evening prayers during Ramadan. Students claimed that shortly after, a mob armed with sticks and knives stormed into the hostel, attacked them and vandalized their rooms. Students said security at the hostel tried to stop the rioters but failed.

A student from Afghanistan said people in the mob raised slogans and asked them who allowed them to hold worship in the dormitory. “They also attacked us in the room. They broke laptops, mobile phones and bicycles,” he said.

The five injured students include one each from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Turkmenistan, and two from African countries, the student said. He said the injured student had informed the relevant embassy.

In one of the videos, a young man in the mob can be heard asking the security guard, “Why are they holding worship, is this the place?” At which point a student screams, approaches the young man and attacks him . Some users on social media claimed this sparked mob violence.