Gujarat University Mob Attack Leaves Five Foreign Students Injured: Police Report

According to police reports, severe injuries were sustained by five foreign national students studying at Gujarat University following a late-night brawl on campus.

The students, hailing from Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka, were engaged in offering namaz in their rooms when a group of individuals purportedly protested and shouted religious slogans, resulting in an altercation between the two groups.

Photo Credit: X- ANI/@Shadab_VAHIndia

Mob Attack Leaves Five Foreign Students Injured

The incident occurred at Block A hostel, where the foreign students reside, and was accompanied by visuals circulating on social media depicting individuals pelting stones and vandalizing bikes, causing damage to at least five vehicles. Ahmedabad city's additional commissioner of police (crime), Neerajkumar Badgujar, confirmed the filing of a first information report (FIR) and assured prompt arrests of the assailants.

Police statement on the incident

According to statements given by Ahmedabad Commissioner of Police GS Malik to the reporters, it was mentioned that approximately 300 foreign students are enrolled at Gujarat University, with 75 foreign students accommodated in A Block (Hostel).

It was reported that around 10:30 PM the previous day, a group of students were engaged in offering namaz when approximately 20-25 individuals arrived and questioned their activities, suggesting they should conduct their prayers in the mosque instead.

Subsequently, an argument ensued between the two parties, resulting in the pelting of stones and vandalism of the students' rooms by the intruders. Malik stated that swift action was taken by the police, with the registration of an FIR against 20-25 individuals, and at least one accused has been identified, ensuring strict repercussions for all those implicated.

The commissioner also mentioned that two students from Sri Lanka & Tajikistan have been admitted to the SVP Hospital. A student from Afghanistan, who was present during the incident, reported that around 11 PM the same night, 10-15 people from outside entered the hostel campus, with three of them gaining entry into the hostel building while namaz was being offered. The intruders allegedly asserted that the students were not permitted to offer namaz on the premises and shouted slogans of "Jai Shri Ram."

According to the student, it was claimed that the police arrived at the scene after the intruders had fled. An official reported that Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi has called for an urgent meeting with senior officials, including the director general of police (DGP) of Gujarat Police and the joint commissioner of police (JCP) of the crime branch, to address the matter.

Attempts to reach Gujarat University vice-chancellor Neerja Gupta were unsuccessful, while Gujarat University police station PI SR Bava stated that they were investigating the matter and declined to provide further details at this stage.