Hate crimes against Indians in US echo in Lok Sabha

The Government on Thursday assured the Lok Sabha that it ​was taking all steps to make Indian citizens in the US feel secure.

“The alleged hate crimes against Indians in the US are being viewed seriously by the government. These are most unfortunate. Next week, a detailed statement on the issue will be made in the House,” Home Minister Rajnath Singh, said after the Opposition cornered the government for its “silence” on the issue. Singh gave a statement in the absence of Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is indisposed.

Two Indians have been killed and one injured in incidents of alleged hate crimes in the US.

Raising the issue, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the hate crimes were “deeply disturbing and had created a feeling of insecurity among Indians there, especially after the new US President came to power. He questioned why the “Prime Minister, who keeps tweeting about little things, silent on this” and demanded a statement from the Prime Minister in the House in the absence of the Foreign Affairs Minister.

Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy wanted to know the status of talks between India and the US. “The Foreign Secretary visits the US and soon after there are new curbs. Jitender Reddy of Telangana Rastra Samithy also wanted a statement on the talks in this regard with the US.

Mohd Salim of the CPI(M) said racial crimes was a serious issue as also the recent travel advisory issued by the US, which includes India. “We are on a defence deals signing spree with the US, why can’t we have eye-to-eye talks on racial attacks,” he said.

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