Days after a Congolese national Masunda Kitada Oliver was beaten to death in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area, the African diplomatic community has declared they may skip the Centre’s Africa Day’s celebrations slated for Thursday.
The ‘Group of African Heads of Mission’ has condemned the act and urged the Indian government to take initiatives to sensitise people about racism and Afro-phobia in India. They even called upon the Indian opinion leaders to amend and break stereotypes and prejudices against Africans.
“Given the pervading climate of fear and insecurity in Delhi, the African Heads of Mission are left with little option than to consider recommending to their governments not to send new students to India, unless and until their safety can be guaranteed,” a statement from Alem Tsehage Woldemariam, Ambassador of Eritrea and Dean of the group, has said, reports The Hindu.
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations has planned a programme on May 26 in New Delhi.
Following the boycott threat, External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj reached out to them and sent out a series of tweets:
She also announced a nationwide sensitisation programme
Oliver, 29, was beaten to death by three youths around 1130 pm.on Friday, following a verbal altercation over the hiring of an auto-rickshaw. The police has so far arrested Mobin Azad Saifi, 23, who was booked for molestation and theft in the past.
Now, it seems the Indian government is trying its best to resolve the issue and save the souring diplomatic relations between the nations. Today, MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup admitted to the racial undertone behind the crime and also requested the Delhi Lt Governer that the case be tried by a fast track court, for which the latter agreed, reports ANI.
In an interview with ScoopWhoop, Masunda’s friend Sam had expressed his anger and agony at the crime and exclaimed,”While I cried for help, nobody came to our rescue. I still don’t have any clue why was he killed so brutally. “
The Africa Day is worldwide observed today. The PMO office had wished the day to the entire African community in the morning