The White House has voiced its commitment to safeguard Indian and Indian American students in the United States, following concerns raised over a series of violent incidents. John Kirby, the Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council, unequivocally condemned violence based on race, gender, or religion, stating that such behavior is unacceptable in the U.S. and that the administration is actively collaborating with state and local authorities to prevent further attacks and hold perpetrators accountable.
The urgency of the situation is underscored by the reported deaths of several Indian American students over recent weeks, including Vivek Saini in Georgia, Shreyas Reddy Benigeri in Ohio, and Neel Acharya and Akul Dhawan in Illinois and Indiana respectively. Alongside these tragedies, the alarming death of Pravin Raojibhai Patel, a 76-year-old man of Indian descent, in a rental dispute in Alabama, has added to the growing alarm among the Indian community.
Echoing these concerns, Ajay Jain Bhutoria, a prominent Indian American community leader, called for heightened safety measures and support systems for Indian students in the US. These events have attracted international attention, emphasizing the need for a secure environment for the Indian diaspora pursuing education and living in America. Additionally, the US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, has reassured that the U.S. remains a ‘wonderful and safe’ place for study, underscoring the administration’s responsibility in ensuring safety for all students.