A citizen of Turkmenistan named Azat was injured in an attack by nationalists on the hostel of Gujarat University in Ahmedabad, India, as reported by local media. On Saturday night, three men confronted students for praying, stating that prayers should be conducted in a mosque, leading to a conflict. The group of nationalists grew to 20-25 individuals, storming the hostel and assaulting students with bats and stones while chanting "Jai Shri Ram," a nationalist slogan.
Two students, Azat and Mario Fernando from Sri Lanka, required hospitalization. It is highlighted that Fernando is a Christian, not a Muslim. One student was stabbed, while another suffered severe leg injuries from shattered glass. Additionally, two students from Afghanistan and two from African countries sustained injuries but received outpatient treatment. All victims are studying under scholarships from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
Following the incident, two attackers, Hitesh Mevada and Bharat Patel, both Ahmedabad locals, were arrested. However, students claim that the police did not make enough effort to apprehend the remaining assailants. Video evidence of police inaction is being reviewed by investigators. The university administration relocated all students from the affected hostel to other buildings and initiated cultural integration discussions with foreign and local students.
The clash over prayers on March 16 merely ignited long-standing tensions between student groups. Authorities emphasize that public display of religious rituals is not allowed on campus. This is not the first interethnic conflict at the university, as in 2019, over 300 foreign students were relocated due to local discontent with their dietary habits.
