NEW DELHI: With controversy growing over the assault on international students in Gujarat University for offering namaz, the Centre on Sunday went into damage-control mode with the external affairs ministry stating it was in touch with the state government.
Five international students, from Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka, were injured after a mob stormed a hostel and attacked them for allegedly offering namaz on the campus.

“An incidence of violence took place at Gujarat University in Ahmedabad on Saturday. State government is taking strict action against the perpetrators. Two foreign students were injured in the clash. One of them has been discharged from hospital after receiving medical attention. MEA is in touch with the Gujarat government,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

State home minister Harsh Sanghavi also reportedly spoken to Gujarat’s top police officers and directed them to arrest the accused as soon as possible and ensure a fair probe.
‘Sensitivity training for foreign students’
Meanwhile, Gujarat University vice-chancellor Neerja A Gupta in an odd remark said that since the students are from overseas, they need to be trained in “cultural sensitivity”.
“These are foreign students and when you go abroad, you must learn cultural sensitivity. These students need an orientation. We will sit with them, provide cultural orientation and discuss how to strengthen their security.”
FIR registered
According to Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik, the incident occurred on Saturday night when some 20-25 people entered a hostel premises of Gujarat University in Ahmedabad “and objected to the international students offering namaz there, asking them to do so in a mosque. They argued over the issue, assaulted them and hurled stones”.
Two students — one from Sri Lanka and another from Tajikistan — were hospitalised, the police said.
An FIR has been registered against 20-25 people and nine teams have been formed to conduct a probe into the incident, Malik said.
There are around 300 international students enrolled at the university. Nearly 75 of the international students stay in the A-block hostel of the university where the incident occurred.
All those involved in the incident will be arrested, the official said, adding the case will be monitored by the joint commissioner of police (crime).
(With inputs from agencies)