After attacks on Indian students in the United States, the White House criticized violence based on race, gender, or any other reason, calling it unacceptable. John Kirby, in charge of communications for the National Security Council, said that President Joe Biden and his team are working hard to stop these attacks.
Kirby stated, “There’s no excuse for violence, certainly based on race or gender or religion or any other factor. This kind of violence is not okay in the United States. The President and his team are working hard with state and local authorities to stop these attacks. They want to ensure that anyone thinking about doing this knows they will face consequences.
The statement comes amid a rise in attacks and deaths of Indians and Indian-Americans in the US. On February 7, a 41-year-old Indian-origin man, Vivek Taneja of Alexandria, Virginia, died after suffering life-threatening injuries from an assault in downtown Washington.
Similarly, an Indian student, Syed Mazahir Ali, faced a brutal attack in Chicago on February 4. Videos on social media showed Ali bleeding heavily as he described the incident. Another video circulating online, appearing to be CCTV footage, showed Ali being chased by three attackers.
“No excuse for violence…:” US on attacks against Indian students
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) February 16, 2024
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Earlier this month, Shreyas Reddy, an Indian student in Cincinnati, Ohio, was found dead, though the cause of death remains unknown. Neel Acharya, a student at Purdue University, was also found dead after being missing for days. Additionally, Vivek Saini, another Indian student, was killed with repeated blows from a hammer by a homeless man inside a store in Lithonia, Georgia.
The police in Washington, DC, are asking the public for help to find the person responsible for the attack on Taneja. The Indian Consulate in Chicago is supporting Ali and his wife in India after the incident.
These attacks have caused concern among the Indian community and parents of Indian students in the US. The White House’s criticism emphasizes the importance of addressing and preventing this violence.