Concerns have emerged in India regarding xenophobia against Africans. Anger intensified after the murder of a Nigerian in Goa at the end of October, which led to Nigerian-led protests in Goa. The authorities in Goa have been searching for connections between Nigerians and drug-related gangs. The government in Goa reported that the Nigerian had been murdered due to violence within the drug-related gangs and that an arrest for the murder had been made. Nonetheless, the diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and India has weakened. Politicians in Goa have made prejudiced statements regarding Nigerians. The authorities in Goa have arranged to deport the illegal Nigerian immigrants in India, which has enraged Nigerian diplomats: “There are only 50,000 Nigerians living in India, but there are over a million Indians living in Nigeria. Thousands of Indians living there will be thrown out on the streets if the forcible eviction of Nigerians in Goa does not stop,” Jacob Nwadibia, a consular attaché, said.
Africans frequently complain about facing discrimination in India. African college students have voiced their concerns regarding unjust treatment in college. In addition, there have been complaints regarding difficulty in obtaining housing. Furthermore, Africans are stereotyped as associated with crime and drug-trafficking, which results in discriminatory treatment from the police.
Foreigners report a diverse set of experiences in India. Their accounts suggest that foreigners in India may be treated differently based on their nationality, race, or gender. At times whites are in a privileged position as compared to blacks and men earn more respect than women. It is time for India to start treating all its foreigners justly and equally.
Africans frequently complain about facing discrimination in India. African college students have voiced their concerns regarding unjust treatment in college. In addition, there have been complaints regarding difficulty in obtaining housing. Furthermore, Africans are stereotyped as associated with crime and drug-trafficking, which results in discriminatory treatment from the police.
Foreigners report a diverse set of experiences in India. Their accounts suggest that foreigners in India may be treated differently based on their nationality, race, or gender. At times whites are in a privileged position as compared to blacks and men earn more respect than women. It is time for India to start treating all its foreigners justly and equally.
Links to information:
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/2013/11/africans-decry-discrimination-india-201311139485418912.html
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/2013/11/murder-sparks-india-nigeria-diplomatic-storm-201311109531844644.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-24835058
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-11-04/india/43657766_1_nigerians-goa-government-forcible-eviction
- Nitya
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/2013/11/africans-decry-discrimination-india-201311139485418912.html
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/2013/11/murder-sparks-india-nigeria-diplomatic-storm-201311109531844644.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-24835058
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-11-04/india/43657766_1_nigerians-goa-government-forcible-eviction
- Nitya