Africans attacked: Kanhaiya to lead 'March for Justice' at Jantar Mantar today

Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union ( JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar urged the nation to come out in large numbers and join the African students for the 'March for Justice' at the Jantar Mantar in the national capital on Tuesday.

Condemning the government's approach in the matter, Kanhaiya said that the government wanted to perpetually function in a denial mode, adding that the attack on the African students showed the racial discrimination that was taking root in this country.

"All that the spokesperson for the state has to say is that it is a 'minor issue'. It is shameful that the government takes this issue so lightly when diplomats from 42 African nations boycotted the weeklong celebration of Africa Day, hosted by the Indian government as a sign of protest against renewed 'racism and Afro-phobia'," he added.

Kanhaiya further stated, that the government wanted to turn the citizens of the nation into an unthinking and blindly following mob with intolerant attitude.

"The BJP-RSS government continues to attack the cultural ethos of this nation that promotes unity in diversity and welcoming people from diverse background and through these attacks, they pose a very serious threat to the very constitution of this country," he added.

Further escalating attack, Kanhaiya asked the government to stop turning the people of the country into a crowd and stop propagating ideas, which promote discrimination on the basis of colour, caste, religion and regions.

In wake of the recent attacks on the African nationals, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is set to meet African students today to assure them of their safety and security in India.

The Indian Government had yesterday assured the family members of African national Masunda Oliver, who was brutally killed in the national capital, that speedy trial would take place in the case and all the three accused would be prosecuted as per law of the land.

Birender Yadav, Joint Secretary (West Africa), who met the family members of Oliver at the airport, offered his heartfelt condolences and informed that the Indian government would bear all the expenses to dispatch his mortal remains back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

A week after the killing of a Congolese man in the national capital that stirred a diplomatic row and instigated violence against Indians in Congo, four attacks on African nationals by the residents in Chattarpur were reported on Friday.

Five people were arrested by the Delhi Police in connection with the four attack incidents on the African nationals on Sunday. The African nationals had sustained minor injuries in the attack that took place in South Delhi's Mehrauli area on Friday.

The accused have been arrested are identified as- Babu (32), Kunal (20), Om Prakash (24), Rahul alias Rocky (24) and Ajay (25). The police are carrying out search operations to nab the other accused persons.

On Sunday, Swaraj spoke to Rajnath Singh and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung about the attacks and said she was assured that the culprits would soon be arrested. (ANI)