Lucknow: Condemning attacks on Africans in Delhi, a group of foreign nationals, mostly pursuing their bachelors from Lucknow University, said they did not feel safe in the city. The law must take its course, they said. Apart from their degrees, they said they won't take back many fond memories of their stint in Lucknow. Though they have not experienced violence, they are not comfortable either. They're subjected to racism in the form of silly questions and strange behaviour. After Delhi attacks, they are scared to even get into an argument.
A native of Ghana, Enoch Bodza was disappointed to see video of attacks on Africans at a metro stations. "I was taken aback to see that the public at the station opposed the Africans, giving the impression that we are repulsive. The crowd watched, making the victim look like an accused. This gives confidence to criminals,'' said Enoch.
Enoch recalled that in Lucknow, he once visited a store in a mall when a group of women entered the store. "Before I could even turn to them, those girls screamed and ran out of the shop. I was taken aback with their behaviour as it was so racist," he said.
Joseph Mutiso, also from Kenya and pursuing BCom feels Indians in southern states are more welcoming. "Africans have closer relations with people living in south India. Language is not a problem there because people speak English Here, communication is the biggest challenge, which frustrates us,'' said Joseph.
Recounting an incident of racial discrimination, Joseph said, "Inside a mall, as I entered a shop to buy something, two guys kept clicking my pictures, without even my consent. At times people call us black and they do it in Hindi which we don't understand,'' he said.
Botswana's Modiegi Mabetha who too is studying commerce in Lucknow has a piece of advice for Indians who indulge in attacks on foreign nationals. The UN charter says every life is to be respected and protected by the law. "Every form of life is precious. Of all foreigners, Africans are treated differently because of their skin colour. They are killed away from their homes, '' Modiegi said. An economics student, Marina Jessica Samuel Solomon, who came from Mozambique, said,"Irrespective of caste, creed, colour and religion, we are all humans. After the Delhi incident, they may do the same to me here. The behaviour of people to girls here is impolite. They gaze at us for the way we dress, the way we look."
But some in the city would miss them. Said Balrampur hostel provost
RP Singh
, "All of them would be leaving in another 15-20 days. They are like family to me. I will miss them all."
dress we wear, the way we look,'' lamented Marina.