Feb 16, Washington: In response to a surge in violent incidents targeting Indian students in the United States, the White House has unequivocally denounced such attacks, asserting that there is no justification for violence based on race, gender, or any other factor. John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council, addressed this issue during a press briefing on Thursday, emphasizing that President Joe Biden and his administration are working diligently to prevent and disrupt these attacks.
The statement from the White House comes amidst a series of tragic incidents, including the death of Vivek Taneja, a 41-year-old Indian-origin man who succumbed to injuries sustained in an assault in downtown Washington, DC, on February 7. Taneja’s death followed a brutal attack on Syed Mazahir Ali, an Indian student in Chicago, who was left critically injured after being assaulted by four armed thieves.
The recent attacks have raised concerns among Indian parents, prompting them to question the safety of sending their children to the US for education. In response to these concerns, Kirby stated, “There’s no excuse for violence, certainly based on race or gender or religion or any other factor. That’s just unacceptable here in the United States and the President and his administration has been working very, very hard to make sure we’re doing everything we can to work with state and local authorities to try to thwart and disrupt those kinds of attacks and make it clear to anybody who might consider them that they’ll be held properly accountable.”
The White House‘s condemnation of the attacks on Indian students in the US has been reaffirmed by John Kirby, who has stated that the administration is committed to preventing such attacks. The statement from the White House comes days after Eric Garcetti, the US Ambassador to India, expressed his condolences and assured Indians that the US is a safe place to study.
White House Commits Security for Indian Students
The recent attacks on Indian students in the US have highlighted the precarious security conditions that Indian students are subject to. In addition to Taneja and Ali, other Indian students, including Vivek Saini, Shreyas Reddy Beniger, Neel Acharya, and Akul Dhawan, have also faced violent incidents in the US. The White House’s condemnation of these attacks and its commitment to ensuring the safety of the Indian community within the US have been welcomed by Indian students and their families.
The White House’s statement and Kirby’s remarks have been met with appreciation by Indian officials, who have expressed their gratitude for the administration’s efforts to ensure the safety of Indian students in the US. The US Embassy in India has also been working closely with the Indian government to address the concerns of Indian students and their families.
As the White House continues to work with state and local authorities to address the issue of attacks on Indian students, the Indian community in the US remains hopeful that the administration’s efforts will lead to a safer environment for Indian students. The White House’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Indian students in the US has been a source of comfort for Indian students and their families, who are eager to see an end to the recent spate of attacks.