Racist Attacks on Africans in India Hit Unprecedented Levels

Previously, a lot of people thought racism only existed in the West. But the latest incidents in the Middle East and Asia, where black people are subjected to all manner of abuses, have proved that racism is a global problem.

Just two days ago, the world watched in disbelief a video of a Nigerian man being beaten senselessly with sticks by a group of Indians for allegedly stealing some valuables. Police reports indicate that the incident took place in Savitri Nagar, New Delhi, on 24 September.

According to the BBC, Police in Delhi have since arrested five suspects in connection with the horrifying incident. They’ve also arrested the victim for the alleged theft.

In the disturbing video, the Nigerian man appears to be tied to a post as the crowd beats him mercilessly with sticks.

Residents of Savitri Nagar have accused the man of breaking into a neighbor’s house and attempting to steal valuables.

“It is a case of attempted burglary. Those living in the house got alerted. They caught him and beat him up,” a Delhi police spokesman told the press.

Too Many Attacks

The latest incident is just one of many racist attacks being meted out to Africans in India. Sadly, the incidents appear to be happening more frequently while the Indian government remains mum about them.

Seven months ago, five Nigerian students were attacked by fellow students in Delhi, while another black man was attacked by a crowd inside a shopping mall on allegations of being drug traffickers.

The attacks were triggered by the death of an Indian student after an alleged drug overdose, which was blamed on Nigerian students living in the area. Some locals even accused the Nigerian students of cannibalism.

Last year, similar attacks were reported in different parts of India, including one in which a Congolese man was killed by a mob in Delhi under unclear circumstances. In February the same year, a Tanzanian female student was attacked and partially stripped by a mob in Bangalore after an Indian woman was accidentally run over by a car being driven by a drunken Sudanese student.

The angry mob pounced on the 21-year-old student as she passed by the accident site moments after it happened. She didn’t even know the Sudanese student.

Spontaneous attacks and accusations of cannibalism, prostitution and drug trafficking, all laced with racist undertones, are common occurrences that Africans living in India have to grapple with almost on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, the Indian government has been disturbingly quiet about the attacks, only promising to carryout thorough investigations after an attack has happened. This continued denial by Indian authorities has hampered efforts to end the racist attacks.

African governments are also not doing enough to guarantee their citizens living in India adequate security. Ironically, millions of Indians are peacefully coexisting with Africans and running successful businesses across Africa.

by Fredrick Ngugi
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