The recent spate of attacks on Africans -- starting with the murder on May 20 of a 29-year-old Congolese teacher, Masonda Ketada Olivier, who was beaten to death by three drunk men in a dispute about hiring an auto-rickshaw, followed by uncoordinated assaults on at least six other African men -- shows that all is not well in the land that believes in Atithi Devo Bhava (‘the guest is God’).
For the last one week, the Union government has been trying to contain the potential damage to India-Africa relations, with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday posting on Twitter, ‘I appeal to fellow Indians. Next time you meet an African citizen, please shake hands and say ‘India loves you’.’
So, we ask you, dear readers, to extend your hand to the African community in the country. Show them the love, spread the word of tolerance and help India get rid of its racist tag.
Follow Mrs Swaraj’s advice. Next time you meet an African, say ‘India loves you’, take a selfie and share it with us!
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