India Day postponed in Ireland: The annual India Day celebrations in Ireland have been postponed following a surge in racist attacks on Indians, the Ireland India Council (IIC) announced on Monday. The decision, taken after consultations with Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris, comes amid growing concerns over the safety of the Indian community. IIC co-chairman Prashant Shukla said the move was “very difficult” but necessary to ensure the safety of participants. “We feel that the situation at the moment for holding India Day is not conducive,” Shukla stated after the meeting. The event, which has been organised in collaboration with the Irish government since 2015, was scheduled for this Sunday and typically features cultural performances and community gatherings.
Deputy Prime Minister Harris, in an X post, deplored the recent violence and racism. “I absolutely condemn the appalling acts of violence and racism that we have witnessed against some members of the community in recent weeks,” he declared, reaffirming support to the Indian diaspora. Earlier this month, the Indian Embassy in Dublin had issued a public warning cautioning Indian citizens to “take reasonable precautions for their personal security and avoid deserted areas, especially during odd hours.” The Irish Embassy in New Delhi also condemned the incidents and assured that police investigations are ongoing.
String Of Racist Incidents Reported
• A six-year-old Indian-origin girl in southeast Ireland was assaulted, spat at, and subjected to racial slurs by a group of teenagers.
• An Indian taxi driver in Dublin was attacked with a broken bottle by passengers who told him to “go back to your country.”
• A 60-year-old Indian man in Dublin was racially harassed by minors while waiting at a bus stop with his daughters.
• An Indian man in Tallaght was assaulted and half-stripped in what police suspect was a racially motivated attack.
• Indian-origin data scientist Dr. Santosh Yadav was attacked by teenagers in Dublin.
• Taxi driver Lakhvir Singh sustained injuries after being attacked by two men pretending to be passengers.
• Indian hotel chef Laxman Das was robbed and assaulted in Dublin by three unidentified suspects.
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Shukla has also expressed concern about the surge in hate speech and “extreme right propaganda” on the internet, with some of these groups blaming Indian migrants for the housing crisis in Ireland. He cautioned that such disinformation promotes xenophobia and encourages attackers. Ireland’s Garda National Diversity Unit has confirmed that there are ongoing investigations and that it is in constant communication with the Federation of Indian Communities in Ireland (FICI). Garda officers will also attend upcoming Indian Independence Day commemorations to “provide assistance and reassurance.” The Indian Embassy in Ireland reissued its safety advisory, requesting citizens to remain vigilant, stay away from isolated locations, and report suspicious incidents to authorities promptly.