Union minister of state for home affairs Hansraj Ahir has said Nigerians living in Delhi indulge in drug-dealing and that there are certain groups of immigrants who are involved in illegal activities even though citizens of all countries across the world are welcome to stay in India.
“We respect people from all nations and give them due dignity. However, there are some people, who are getting long-term visas to stay in India but are involved in illegal activities...” he said during the ‘Bharatiya Nagarikta Pradan Karyakram’ (Indian citizenship granting programme) in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur on Wednesday.
The minister comments came after a Nigerian man was beaten mercilessly by a mob after he was allegedly caught “stealing” from a home in south Delhi’s Savitri Nagar in September.
Videos of the incident surfaced online earlier this month and the Nigerian national, identified as Ahmad, was sent to jail and five people were arrested by the police.
Deputy commissioner of police (south Delhi) Ishwar Singh said Ahmad was beaten up over suspicions of theft and was no racial angle to the incident. He added police recovered some instruments from his possession, including a wire cutter and a bunch of keys.
Earlier in March, several Nigerians were attacked by a mob in Noida after a protest over the death of a 19-year-old student as they accused them of supplying drugs to the pupil.
{{/usCountry}}Earlier in March, several Nigerians were attacked by a mob in Noida after a protest over the death of a 19-year-old student as they accused them of supplying drugs to the pupil.
{{/usCountry}}Hansraj also commented on the situation of the Rohingya refugees and backed the government’s decision to bar their entry into the country, arguing that the activities taken up by them were “not in the interest of the nation”.
“In Myanmar, the Rohingyas went against the governance, and hence, were asked to leave the country. Now, they are trying to enter India. However, we stand by our decision, as we feel the activities they are involved in are not in the interest of our people. Those who pick up arms and retaliate against their own government will not find a place in India,” he stated.