IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, March 08: While expressing deep concerns on the rise in racial attacks on Indians in America, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, one of the largest Muslim organizations in India, has urged the Narendra Modi government to put pressure on the Trump administration to check hate crimes there.
“In recent weeks, Indians have faced racial attacks. Er. Srinivas was killed. Businessman Harnish Patel was killed. Now a Sikh was attacked. Attackers asked them to get out of America. The situation there is very disturbing. Jamaat has condemned these attacks,” said Mohammad Salim Engineer, Secretary General, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind.
In the last three weeks, at least four Indians have been attacked in the United States – two of them were killed while two were wounded. The first such murderous attack took place in Kansas City on 22nd Feb when Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla and his friend Alok Madasani were attacked by a white American. Srinivas was killed while Madasani was wounded. Then businessman Harnish Patel was shot dead in Lancaster on 2nd March. Next day, on 3rd March, a Sikh man named Deep Rai was attacked in Kent City. He survived the attack.
“America is a big democracy. People from across world live there. A huge number of Indians also work there. We have asked US govt. to rein in hate crimes,” said Jamaat leader.
“Our own Indian govt. must become more active. It should put pressure on US govt. The US govt. has condemned attacks, but it’s not enough. It’s a serious issue for us Indians also. Our Indian govt. should take some strong steps. It should demand the US govt. to ensure justice to victims, punishment to culprits and effective steps to check hate crimes,” he demanded.
Jamaat leader alleged that the rise in hate crimes could be attributed to hate speeches of Donald Trump during the presidential election campaign last year.
“Present racial attacks have emanated from Trump’s hate speeches. He instigated Americans against non-Americans. He gave slogan of ‘America First’. This created hatred in Americans for outsiders. Current situation is result of that hate campaign. It is very dangerous. If not stopped it will sully America’s image in the world,” said Jamaat leader.
