Everything about the heart-rending story of Yannick Nizhanga, an African student who was attacked by local youths in Jalandhar in April and who now lies in a coma in a Patiala hospital, should be a cause for national outrage. The vicious attack on the 24-year-old from Burundi was unprovoked. That affluent youngsters could indulge in such violence, that too against a foreign student, for next to no reason is a matter for concern, but what calls for serious national introspection is the story that unfolded subsequently. The police took a long time to take action against the attackers, one of whom was the son of a police officer. In the days and weeks following the attack, Yannick’s father, Nestor Ntibateganya, was left struggling to meet medical expenses, and for ways to take his son, who may never recover, back to Burundi. Last week, more than two months after the attack, the Punjab government ordered a probe and financial aid and the Ministry of External Affairs began the process of assisting Mr. Ntibateganya to take his son home.
Indian officialdom and civil society are quick to cry hoarse and demand immediate action when Indian students come under attack in Australia or other countries. But when it comes to offering help to foreign students in a similar situation in India, the official machinery is depressingly slow to act. Sadly, the situation is worse when the students are from Africa or poorer Asian countries. Like the shabby prevarication we saw in Australia earlier, the Punjab administration would like us to believe racism was not a factor in the attack on the young Burundian. Even if it wasn’t, it is hard to believe Yannick’s race and African origin were not factors in the tardy response of the system. Indeed, the Central and State governments woke up to the issue only after wide coverage in the media. The callous attitude of government authorities in such cases betrays a mindset that concerns itself only with the concerns of the rich and the powerful. All projections of a rising India count for nothing if the country cannot ensure the rule of law and the safety and security of its citizens and residents, including overseas visitors and students. India is becoming an attractive destination for higher education, especially for students from countries in the global south. If a repeat of the Jalandhar-type attack is to be avoided, the authorities will have to learn to be responsive and quick. And universities and colleges, whether private or State-funded, will have to work with the government to strive to create a welcoming and nurturing environment for foreign students.
Keywords: Yannick Nizhanga, African student attack, foreign students in India, social discrimination
i am very shocked to hear this type of info....and i believe that indian officials should take steps to solve problems....
they should do it as fast as thay can.....
because delaying the work means denying the work......
and if we are denying then this iz shameful for us and for our country....
the point to be noted is the presence of the son of a police officer in this heinous crime, which seems to be the most vital reason of delay in the reaction of the police and authorities. Only after the wide coverage of the issue by the media made the punjab govt. and the external affairs ministry to intervene in the issue, which means not by their will. Racism may not be the issue but it clearly reflects the dominance and irresponsible nature of politicians and bureaucracy, thus super-ceding the rule of law and consequently leading the country to nowhere except singing the myth of high economic growth, without considering the increasing disparity
I would like to compliment The Hindu on its effort to rise an
unfolded tragedy of our system.
It's not wrong to say that "racism exist in our DNA".Being a DU
student i deeply condemn this hellish outcome & administration should
be responsive & work quickly to punish the culprits.
Government is too busy with scams that It hardly has time for its citizen, then its not surprising as the victim was a foreign national
Its really very shameful news for our country. We expect our students protection in abroad but are doing nothing for the foreign stundents to protect them. Also the delay which Punjab Government has done to make the decision in giving assurance to Yannick's father of taking him home cant be seen as a generous action.In Anuj Bidve's case, our govt. has taken measures swiftly to catch Anuj's murders.Now what happens in this case?Where was that quickness?Yannick should be given every peace of justice he deserves.We all pray for Yannick's good health.I hope he will be soon on his feet.
I do not know how to thank "The Hindu" for this editorial. Whatever may be the reasons, The government of India should bear full medical bill and see to that the student is fully recovered. This is not Punjab issue alone. A life is involved and India as a whole, is responsible for it. All of us should hope for a speedy recovery Yannick Nizhanga. I hope central government, on humanitarian grounds, acts and does the needful for the student and his family, if needed government should treat him at the best facility available in the country or anywhere in the world. Show that you care and listen to his parents.
We Indians are some of the most racist, color-conscious, status-
comparing, and hypocritical people on the planet. Being in 3D mode -
outright Denial, Defiance, and Delusion makes coming to terms "with the
demons within" all the more easier it seems. The world is not buying
this charade.
This is highly deplorable act, Government/ police should take quick action to punish the culprits. let's pray for Yannick's better health.
Any media which is taking up the role of Judiciary n this case? Our Electronic media is notorious for this kind of 'Judicial Activity'?
Where are those candle light protests, SMS campaigns?
It seems supporting an African National will not draw TRPs for the
channels.
Kudos to the Editor for bringing up the issue for discussion.
My heartiest thankful to editor of THE HINDU whao pumped such a burning and most provoking thing in our cognizance. HE (GOD) framed & raised us under same sky then why there is racialism, discrimination ? The non stop physically abuse by Australian student against us definitely lower our morale ,polarization for aboard .India is already facing a problem if student of jalandhar will do such an outlandish & heinous act , who will come India to add up its gross income? There should be a justice for yannick other wise situation will be out of gear.
A tragedy for humanity and India. As a South African (of Indian descent) I deplore the hooliganism against my African brother. My heartfelt sympathies go out to his family. The thugs who inflicted this thuggery must be identified and swiftly brought to justice. This act diminishes the stature of India as a democracy, endowed with the principles of non-racialism, tolerance, fair play to ALL. When this happens ti Indian citizens in foreign countries we share the pain of India. We expect the CM and the authorities to rise to the occasion and show caring and justice...the long silence of the CM is particularly disturbing. This racist behaviour can impact negatively on ALL indians across the world be they NRI or not. India has to remedy the damage that has been done not only to this family but to the larger Indian community outside India.
Its a shameful act on the pretext of India known to follow " Aththi
Devo Bhav" policy.Incidents like the rape of foreign national in TISS
Mumbai and now this is black mark not just on our so called rich
culture but shabby governance structure.Indians have no right to
criticise and show concerns about the incidents that happened in
Australia or US if they themselves cannot act righteously.Its very
easy to pin point finger on others.The level of intolerance among
youngsters seems to be proportionally increasing with population.Its
time government starts acting or else demographic dividend blessing
will become curse by 2020.
India has been historically a racist country from ancient times (Caste system / Warring religious sects). No wonder it shows up time and again. Indian racism needs to be strongly and continuously highlighted to end this menace. Praying for Yannick Nizhanga and praying violent for justice.
This is a very ghastly act and the offenders should be punished. Even though the underlying reasons are unknown, it cannot be denied that the government and the civil societies are ineffective in delivering the justice.Atleast the media has done its job perfectly this time.
My sincere request to the same media is to ensure that the culprits get punished and Nestor Ntibateganya gets required assistance and support in taking his son back home.
That was a beautiful editorial.I live in USA since 1997 and I keep telling my Us friends of Indian Origin that, we blow things out of proportion when an Indian is subjected to a racial attack but the most
number of such attacks take place in India.Discriminating people on the basis of caste,community,religion and color is at its worst in India and
everyone including the media make a lot of noise for a few days after the incident.I request your esteemed daily to follow this case up and see that the perpetrators do not walk away as they seem to have high connections and money power.Keep this case alive in the media by reporting the progress .Also see to it that the Yannick family is compensated for all the trauma they have gone through.
Pancha Nerur
This is really a heart-rending and shame subject for a so-called
cultured state 'India'. This the Hindu editorial should be able to act
as a eye opener for indian officialdom. Again this is much more
pathetic, because one African has been victimised.
Thanks for this. It is precisely for this kind of invitations to being
self-critical that I like your editorials, articles and news. I believe
that being self-critical as a country is never to be anti-patriotic, and
self-criticism is a bone of a democratic country. I appreciate the Hindu
for playing a major role in making people realise how importance is this
virtue for a democratic nation as ours.
A very shameful act..!!! Thanks for bringing this issue out. Lets now see what the Indian govt which cries loud for attacks on Indians outside India does. I really hope this editorial would have some impact.
As a great civilization with a well-documented culture of tolerance,
India needs to understand that justice for Yannick and his family will
only strengthen their standing in the world.It is incumbent to the
majority of Indians to stand up and require of their government to act
as quickly as possible to show that it is a country where the rule of
law guarantees equality for all, at least before the law.
Immediate action is required to bring to justice, not only the
assailants but also to hold their influential parents accountable for
obstruction of justice. Those who fled the country must be brought
back to face justice. In the meantime,most sensible Indians should
help the family to navigate what seems to be a nightmarish experience
in India for "All it takes for evil to triumph is the good people to
keep silent". E.Burke
[S.P.Chakravarty: "Was the attack racially motivated?"]
Now where have I heard this before? Oh yeah. Australia.
Whether we like it or not, We Indians are the most hypocrite people in the world and practice all sort of double-standards. There are numerous tales of Indians in USA & other nations practising blatant racism. The reason is not hidden to see. We grow-up in a society which teaches us to discriminate on the basis of community, caste, gender, color, religion, region, language, economic-status, food-habits etc etc. The covert social sanction to such discrimination makes it even worse. It's disgusting to see an african man beaten to coma just because of his color. Why no candle-light marches and no hue & cry in mainstream media for him? Just because he is not 'one-of-us', doesn't mean that state, society and media should loose all its sense of responsibility! Would we have reacted same way if a white american student was treated like this? Aptly said by author, we have to look inwards for answers.
It is really a very sad news that a foreigner is beaten by some
delinquents in India. When Indians face such problems in other
countries, they shout and want government to take action through
Ministry of Home Affairs. India is already in very tough situation to
deal with economic growth, if we would treat the foreigners like this
happened in Jalandhar city in Punjab, its impossible to come on track.
Moreover, its hierarchical that whenever a son, daughter or a relative
of a police officer of leader loiter,loots,attack someone or rape, the
civil authorities do not take action! The junior officials have fear
in their mind that if they would take action, the leaders or the
senior police officer can transfer him in any far flung area or can
create unnatural problems and predicaments. However, State govt.
should take strict action against the culprits without any delay and
she should also make the people aware of that foreigners are
tremendous sources of culture and economic growth.
I hope your editorial will have some impact on our officialdom, if not on the general masses.
This shameful conduct of rich Punjabi youngmen and the silent disregard by the officials to
the pleas by Yannick Nizhanga's father shows how inhumane we have become towards the
poor and powerless. African students have options besides studying in India. Incidences like
this not only betrays our ignorance of Africa but shows the deep seated racist thinking
amongst us. Indians schools need to teach our young about Africa and discuss issues like
racism not only from the perspective of situations where Indians run into racism but also
reflect and discuss situations where Indians are the perpetrators of racism towards
foreigners and other Indians.
This is clear case of Rasism, I cannot think of any reason for a international student to be beaten to this extent and on top there was a relative of a police officer involved. This sad and shameful. Sad because people from Punjab and Haryana were beaten in similar way in Down Under and shameful because inspite of this knowledge, it happened in North India which has experienced similar things in Down Under. I understand all this from personal experience, I am an Indian of Darker skin and I have married a African who is of even a darker shade and we both are aware how we get treated in India. There is no justice for you if you are of darker color in India. Sad Sad Sad.
Most shameful, but racism (we call it casteism) and colour bar seem to be the part of India's DNA. Not easy for us to get over it. Let us stop preaching others about the great culture, etc.
Those who have not experienced poverty, suffering and humiliation can seldom understan human values-leave alone practise them They will join any chorus agaist all these.
We are not different after all!
Was the attack racially motivated?
I would like to thank editorial staff of THE HINDU for bringing out this issue in its editorial. I'm from Punjab and I’m shocked and sad by this incident.
There were no editorial in any of Punjab's print media condemning this act so I truly appreciate this effort by The Hindu.
This case clearly reflect Indian mindset especially people from Punjab who will cry loud if same incident would have occurred in Australia, UK or USA and media too would have cry loud and our foreign minister would be quick to issue statements.
I just hope Govt. of Punjab (Chief minister of Punjab was in denial of any news of such incidence earlier) deliver justice to victim and his family by punishing the culprits some of whom belongs to influential families.
This is tragic. I am now more interested in knowing what the Indian state will do to get
Yannick's family justice. I am always surprised when we Indians preach other countries to act decently and in a civilized manner. We Indians are perhaps the champions of hypocrisy. Everyone associated with heinous act must be dealt with in accordance with the dictates of Indian law. Nothing more and nothing less. Next time someone in India wants to preach other countries on the attributes of civilized conduct we would be well advised to mention Yannick Nizhanga. The so called Oriental values are no more special or exalted than the Occidental ones. The ball is in the court of the Indian state. Act!
India must look inward: I HAVE HIGH REGARDS FOR THE EDTOR FOR POSTING THJIS ARTICLE.
Double standard is very bad phenomenona .We should discourage these type of shamefull acts.Quick action is imperative in these situations.we should not forget our culture i.e.'athithi devo bhavah' ( Guest is God ).
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