John Kirby : “US Condemns Attacks on Indian Students: No Excuse for Violence Based on Race, Gender, Religion”

National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby. FILE/REUTERS

The United States has strongly denounced the recent spate of attacks and deaths of Indian and Indian-American students, stating that there is no justification for violence based on race, gender, religion, or any other factor. The Biden administration, led by President Joe Biden, is actively working to prevent and disrupt such attacks.

Biden Administration Taking Actions to Prevent Attacks

John Kirby, the Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, addressed the issue during a press briefing on Thursday. He emphasized that President Biden and his administration are dedicated to taking decisive measures to ensure the safety of all students, regardless of their background.

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“Such acts of violence are completely unacceptable in the United States,” stated Kirby in response to concerns raised by parents about the safety of Indian students studying in the US. He assured that the federal government is collaborating with state and local authorities to prevent and disrupt these attacks, while also making it clear that the perpetrators will be held accountable.

Recent Attacks on Indian Students

In one incident, Vivek Taneja, a 41-year-old Indian-origin man from Alexandria, Virginia, tragically lost his life after being assaulted in downtown Washington. He was attacked on February 2 and succumbed to his injuries on February 7. The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC is actively seeking assistance in identifying and locating the suspect.

Another incident occurred in Chicago, where an Indian student named Syed Mazahir Ali was brutally attacked. Videos circulating on social media show Ali being chased by three attackers on the streets, leaving him severely injured. The Indian Consulate in Chicago is in contact with Ali and his wife in India.

Earlier this month, a student named Shreyas Reddy was found dead in Cincinnati, Ohio. The cause of his death remains unknown. Neel Acharya, a student at Purdue University, was also found dead after being missing for several days.

Prior to these incidents, Vivek Saini, another Indian student, was brutally killed by a homeless man inside a store in Lithonia, Georgia. A video of the incident went viral on social media.

This article contains inputs from various agencies.