India has arrested two suspects follwoing widespread condemnation of a mob attack on Muslim students during prayers in Gujarat.

The five students belonged to Africa, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan and were praying in Gujarat University hostel in Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad city police commissioner GS Malik also highlighted that many students outside India come to study. The students were praying on the terrace and people came forward to question why were the students offering prayers on the campus and not the mosque. This resulted in an argument and then the mob launched stones and damaged the rooms.

He also said that the police arrived at the place after the phone call. “We have formed nine teams and investigate this. We have identified one person. A complaint has been received against 20-25 people and an FIR registered. We will scan the videos doing the rounds. We will take strict action against those involved,” he said.

Ahmedabad Police has arrested two people who were associated with this case.

The MEA ensured that strict action to be taken against the culprits as they are in contact with the Gujarat government.

The MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X “An incidence of violence took place at Gujarat University in Ahmedabad yesterday. 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 Gujarat government.”

Gujarat University Vice-Chancellor Dr Neerja A Gupta talked with the media and said that there was some tension between students and the mob that led to an escalated situation. “The matter is under police investigation now,” she said.

She focused on cultural sensitivity as the foreign students need an orientation session and the university will take responsibility for providing cultural orientation and discussing their security.

The students pointed out that due to the absence of a mosque on the Ahmedabad University campus, the students offered prayers inside the hostel. After that, the students stated that the mob charged with sticks and knives and destroyed their rooms.

In this event, two people were injured and were taken to the hospital.

The attack took place in India’s Gujarat University hostel in Ahmedabad. Indian Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi talked with Gujarat’s top police officers to ensure a fair probe.

“They attacked us inside the rooms too. They broke laptops, phones and damaged bikes,” a student from Afghanistan said.

The students reported that five other students were injured due to this aggression. “The mob fled when the police arrived. The injured students are in hospital and have informed the embassies,” one of the students said.

Videos and images have been shared on social media platforms about this incident indicating dismantled bikes, broken laptops and tattered rooms. The international students were shown stating that they are sacred and this is unacceptable in one of the videos circulated.

In another video, the mob asked the security guard why students were offering prayers and pounced on the students. Many users mentioned that this could have triggered violence.

An Indian Member of Parliament and India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Chief, Asaduddin Owaisi has asked for Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene.

Owaisi posted on X stating this event was a ‘shame’ when Muslims were peacefully practicing their religion. He questioned how the mob could be unexplainably angry at Muslims praying. He asked the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah to intervene in this situation.