The recent deaths of 11 Indian or Indian-origin students in the US have understandably caused concern within the Indian-American community and among parents back in India. However, Gurdip Singh, a prominent Indian-American academician, has sought to reassure people that the United States continues to offer a welcoming environment for Indian students and has rejected claims of hate crimes being behind these tragic incidents.
Singh, who serves as the Divisional Dean at George Mason University in Virginia, emphasized that while the incidents are unfortunate, there is no evidence to suggest a pattern or underlying cause of hate crimes targeting Indian students. He highlighted the proactive steps taken by Indian diplomatic missions to engage with Indian students, including hosting open houses and updating guidelines for student safety.
Singh advised students to exercise caution and be vigilant, particularly regarding the location of universities, as some areas may have higher crime rates than others. He also acknowledged the rising population of Indian students in the US, which has almost tripled in recent years according to the Institute of International Education's Open Doors report.
However, Utsav Chakrabarti, the Executive Director of Nonprofit HinduAction, expressed deep concern over the recent deaths and called for closer scrutiny and investigation into the causes. He noted cases of harassment targeting Indian-Americans and Hindus on campuses and emphasized the importance of addressing mental health issues among young people, especially foreign nationals studying far from home.
The Indian Embassy and consulates in the US have been actively engaging with student associations and providing safety guidelines to ensure the well-being of Indian students. Efforts to address the concerning trend of escalating student deaths include the dissemination of informative materials and engagement with relevant stakeholders to promote student safety and well-being.
