In recent weeks, there have been reports of at least four Indian American students tragically losing their lives, with Indian-origin individuals, including Sikhs, reportedly being targeted in some instances.
The White House has conveyed that President Joe Biden and his administration are diligently working to prevent and disrupt attacks on Indian and Indian American students. John Kirby, the coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council, emphasized this effort in response to the string of attacks.
The incidents include the deaths of several Indian American students in various locations across the country. Vivek Saini, a part-time student working in Georgia, was fatally assaulted by a drug addict in January. In February, Syed Mazahir Ali, a student at Indiana Wesleyan University, was assaulted. Additionally, Akul Dhawan from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Neel Acharya from Purdue University passed away in January, reportedly due to excessive drinking and exposure to cold temperatures. This month, Shreyas Reddy Benigeri, a student at the Lindner School of Business in Cincinnati, was found dead in Ohio.
Indian American community leader Ajay Jain Bhutoria expressed deep concern over these tragic incidents and stressed the urgent need for enhanced safety measures for students studying in the US. He emphasized the importance of prompt action by college authorities and local law enforcement to address these challenges and ensure the safety of Indian students.
Bhutoria highlighted that these incidents understandably raise concerns among parents and families in India, emphasizing the importance of addressing safety issues to ensure the well-being of Indian students studying in the USA. He called for improved safety measures and support systems, emphasizing unity within the Indian American community on this critical issue.
