Five foreign students attacked at Gujarat University, mob vandalises hostel room, vehicles

Five foreign national students at Gujarat University suffered severe injuries during a late-night brawl at the hostel, reportedly sparked by tensions over the practice of offering namaz on the campus.

The students, who are from Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka, were offering namaz in their rooms when a group of people allegedly protested this and shouted religious slogans.

This led to an altercation between the two groups and soon, led to a brawl.

People from the two groups came to blows in which the five of them were injured.

The incident took place at the Block A of Gujarat University where the foreign students reside.

Neerajkumar Badgujar, the additional commissioner of police (crime) for Ahmedabad city, confirmed that an FIR has been filed and assured that the attackers will be arrested soon.

About the injured foreign students, Badgujar said only one remains hospitalised, while the others have already been treated and discharged.

The student claimed that the police reached the spot after the intruders had fled.

Videos of the attack on the foreign students have gone viral on social media. At least five vehicles were damaged according to the videos.

Gujarat home minister Harsh Sanghavi has convened an urgent meeting with senior officials, including the director general of police (DGP) of Gujarat Police and the joint commissioner of police (JCP) of the crime branch, to address the matter, said an official.

Gujarat University vice-chancellor Neerja Gupta did not respond to calls made on her mobile phone.

Gujarat University police station PI SR Bava said they were investigating the matter and refused to divulge more details at this stage.

The five injured students have been shifted to SVP Hospital.