There is controversy over the picture of Indian students in the queue at the food bank of Galway University in Ireland. There are allegations on social media that they are misusing the facilities of the needy. However, in the report, rising inflation has been cited as the reason.
One of the well-known universities in Ireland is the University of Galway. ‘The Irish Times’ published a news about the food bank there and also included a photo, which is now causing an uproar. The news was that due to lack of food items, hundreds of students are having to return empty handed from the food bank every week. But the controversy started over the fact that most of the students standing in line in the photo were Indians.
This picture, published on February 21, spread like wildfire on social media platforms like X (earlier Twitter). Many people alleged that this facility is meant for financially weak people, but foreign students with good financial background are taking advantage of it. Critics question that foreign students coming to study in Ireland get visas only if they prove that they have enough money to live and eat. Then why are these people standing in line for free food?
One user wrote on X, ‘More than 90 percent of the people standing in the line are Indian students. If these people can’t support themselves then why do they come to Ireland at all, or is this just a scam to save money?’ Some people also said that taking advantage of foreigners in this way breaks trust in the system and violates the rights of Irish students in need.
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However, it is also worth noting that nowhere in the news of ‘The Irish Times’ has Indian students been held responsible for this crisis. It has been said in the report that due to rising inflation in the country, all types of students are facing financial crisis. One reason could also be that a large number of Indian students come to study at Galway University, hence their presence is more visible in the queue.