Four foreign students at Gujarat University’s international boys’ hostel in Ahmedabad sustained injuries after they were attacked by a mob late on Saturday night reportedly over offering namaaz during Ramzan. The police have registered an FIR and are investigating the incident. The students, two of whom were injured severely, are recovering at a hospital where their condition is said to be out of danger.
On learning about the incident, Ahmedabad police chief G S Mallik and Gujarat University Vice-Chancellor Neerja Gupta reached the hostel on Sunday morning.
According to initial reports, international students from Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were reportedly attacked while they were offering late-night namaaz on Saturday at an area designated by the Gujarat University in the international boys’ hostel block-A. Purported videos of the incident, shared on X, also show some people vandalising two-wheelers.
Speaking to media persons after the visit, Police Commissioner Malik said that around 10.30 pm, when the foreign students were offering namaz, 20-25 people asked why they were offering prayers there and told them to do so at a mosque. This led to a scuffle, stone pelting, and vandalism in hostel rooms as well.
“Somebody informed the police control room at 10.51 pm and a PCR van reached the spot at 10.56 pm,” Malik said, adding, “We have taken serious note of the incident and strict action will be taken.”
“Nine teams have been formed (to probe the incident). One accused has been identified and the police will arrest (all) the accused,” he said.