With two cases of attacks on Indians in quick succession, the United States of America has finally admitted that hate crimes in the country are on the rise. Condemning the Kansas killing and also the attack on a Sikh man in Kent, Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera said that crimes motivated by hate are on the rise.
“Xenophobia and racism have no place in America, and we as a nation need to stand up to these hate crimes — starting with the President. Thankfully, the victim is recovering, and my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family,” said Bera, the three-term Indian American Congressman from California.
Bera also said that the “disturbing crime” is an outrage that goes against everything that the US stands for as a nation of immigrants.
Deep Rai, a 39-year-old US national of Indian-origin, was shot outside his home on Friday by a partially-masked gunman who shouted, “go back to your own country”.
The case is being probed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a potentially hate-motivated crime. The FBI is also investigating the Kansas shooting case in which 32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed when 51-year-old US Navy veteran Adam Purinton opened fire at him and his friend Alok Madasani. Purinton also while shooting on the Indians had shouted, “get out of my country”.
The US on Sunday also assured India of working with all agencies to ensure “speedy justice” to Indian-American victims of bias-related incidents. There has been a slew of bias-related incidents in the US, raising concerns over the safety of Indian-American community.
