TRUMP’S speeches, which talked about Mexicans being rapists and immigrants causing harm to the US have roused racist tendencies among many Americans, despite there being no evidence that people from those countries have killed anyone at all in the US.
Finally, US President Donald Trump did make a mention of the killing of an Indian techie in Kansas by a man who shouted “get out of my country” before shooting. The other one, as well as an American who jumped in to rescue the victims, were injured.
Trump’s condemnation, which included recent desecration of Jewish cemeteries, did not refer to the victim’s race, nor suggest that race had anything to do with the incident. This, despite the shooter saying he thought the two Indians were from the Middle East. It is obvious that he was all charged up from the climate of anti-immigrant rhetoric that has built up in recent months, much of it spurred on by the speeches of Trump and his subsequent actions.
The banning of visa holding (and green card holding) visitors from seven countries – all dominated by Muslims – from entering the US, which was one of the first executive decisions of Donald Trump has added fuel to the fire. Trump’s speeches, which talked about Mexicans being rapists and immigrants causing harm to the US have roused racist tendencies among many Americans, despite there being no evidence that people from those countries have killed anyone at all in the US. Families have now been torn asunder and all kinds of visitors, including whites and frequent visitors, like an Australian author or a French historian, are being subjected to intense questioning before being let in, or even deported. Mohammed Ali’s son, a Muslim and obviously a citizen, was interrogated before being allowed in.
“Get out of my country” indicates that many have taken that sentiment seriously and are fuelled by hatred. For the average American, anyone with a brown skin looks the same—he cannot make out the difference between an Arab or an Indian, a Muslim or even a Christian from a south Asian country. The techie was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is hardly surprising that Trump did not mention race in his speech.
But at least he did say something. Regrettably, there has been no comment on it from the Indian Prime Minister. One would have imagined the killing of an Indian, who happens to be a techie and thus a professional who migrated legally, (and a Hindu too, if it matters at all), would have spurred Narendra Modi to mention it publicly in some way. He could have condemned it, sent a public message of condolence to his family, requested President Trump to dispense justice to the perpetrator and ensure the safety of Indians, but there has been nothing from him. Maybe he is too busy with the elections and other matters of state, but it has certainly left many puzzled. Is it because we do not want to provoke or upset the Americans?
The home minister, Rajnath Singh, said he hoped the US government would “try and restore faith among ethnic minorities in the country.” A worthy enough statement, though aimed more at local Indians than Americans who are not likely to even hear of it. Also, many have pointed out the irony in his statement, considering minorities in India have been subjected to all kinds
of attacks.
Parliamentary Affairs minister Venkaiah Naidu, perhaps realising that the victim was a Telugu speaker, also demanded that the US government take the strongest action against the killer. Strong statement this, and welcome too, but again, the question arises—why do our ministers not show the same resolve when a Mohammed Akhlaq is lynched or a Kalburgi is shot dead?
Whether in the US or in India or anywhere else—a climate of hatred always leads to innocents getting hurt. In recent times, the constant verbal attacks on minorities have encouraged some people to take matters in their own hands and go after their fellow citizens. Vigilante groups patrol the streets looking for ‘criminals’ who transport beef. There is finger pointing against butchers and sellers, and by the time it is proven that the meat is not beef, the damage has been done—the victim is arrested and his business takes a hit. There is talk of an “anti-Romeo squad” in Uttar Pradesh for the protection
of women; but how do we know they will not become a nuisance and start blackmailing
innocent people? Those who preach rational thought and campaign against superstition are killed. This happens because people feel encouraged and when the perpetrators are not brought to justice, others feel they too can get away with such acts.
Sadly, the US, the beacon of personal liberties and freedom, is now passing through a time when the highest in the land has signalled that minorities and migrants are somehow anti-American. Indians are perceived to be the ‘model minority’ but on the street, a brown skin is a brown skin—a man on a mission of hatred will not stop to ask if the person who looks different, is an honest, tax paying citizen; for such a crazed man, every swarthy man (and woman) is a potential terrorist. Already some Indian associations have said that Indians should not speak publicly in their language lest it angers the whites. Which means Indians, who have achieved so much, must hide their identity. It is an ill wind that blows no good and it is blowing fiercely in the US of A.
The author is a Founding Editor of The Wire.
He is a journalist and writer based in Mumbai
