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First Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
'They bring immeasurable benefits': Irish president condemns ‘despicable' attacks on Indians amid rising hate crimes
Irish President Michael D Higgins has condemned recent attacks on members of the Indian community, calling them 'despicable' and against Ireland's values, as concerns mount over a rise in racially motivated violence. rish President Michael D Higgins on Tuesday strongly condemned recent attacks on members of the Indian community, calling them 'despicable' and a betrayal of Ireland's values. In a statement, Higgins expressed 'deep gratitude' for the Indian community's immense contribution to Irish life, praising their work in medicine, nursing, care, culture, business, and enterprise. 'Their presence, their work, their culture have been a source of enrichment and generosity to our shared life,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His remarks come amid mounting concern over racially motivated violence. In recent weeks, Indian-origin residents have faced a spate of assaults, prompting the Indian Embassy in Dublin to issue a safety advisory urging citizens to avoid deserted areas and remain vigilant, citing 'an increase in physical attacks' against Indians. Recalling the historical bonds between the two nations, from shared struggles for independence to Irishwoman Margaret Cousins' role in founding the All India Women's Conference, Higgins said such acts of violence 'diminish all of us' and 'obscure the immeasurable benefits the people of India have brought to this country.' He warned that 'messages of hate or incitement to violence,' including those spread on social media, corrode the Irish traditions of hospitality, friendship, and care for others. 'These principles must apply to all who form part of Irish society today, without exception,' he stressed, adding that Ireland must remain a place 'where all communities can live in safety, dignity, and mutual respect.' The warnings follow several violent incidents in recent weeks. On July 19, a 40-year-old Amazon employee from India, in Ireland for just three weeks, was beaten, stabbed in the face, and partially stripped by a teenage gang in Tallaght, Dublin. Authorities are treating the case as a possible hate crime. Jennifer Murray, an Irish woman who intervened, said in a video the next day that 'at least four Indian men and another man have been facially stabbed by this gang of teenagers.' She said the victim required a brain scan and was left 'completely scarred for life.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Mint
7 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Racist attacks against Indians: Ireland President Higgins breaks silence, says ‘how we treat those who…'
Ireland President Michael D Higgins has shared an unambiguous condemnation for the recent surge in vioent attacks on Indian community in his country. In a strongly worded statement, President Higgins noted that Ireland has been shaped by 'migration', and urged 'That shared human experience should remain at the heart of how we (natives of Ireland) treat those who have come to make their lives here.' In a statement laced with both moral conviction and historical reflection, Higgins called the racist attacks on Indians 'despicable' and said they 'stand in stark contradiction to the values that we as a people hold dear.' He stressed that such behaviour 'diminishes all of us' and obscures the immense contributions Indians have made to Irish society. The comments by the Irish President come after three disturbing attacks on Indians in recent weeks. In July, an Indian man in Dublin was stabbed, stripped naked, and left bleeding on the street by a group of teenagers while on his way to pray. On 6 August, another Indian man was beaten and robbed while cycling to work in Dublin. That same day, a six-year-old Indian girl in Waterford was punched and verbally abused by a group of boys. President Higgins said these racist assaults were not isolated incidents but acts that corrode the very principles of hospitality and friendship that have long been hallmarks of Irish identity. The Irish President expressed 'deep gratitude' for the 'immense contribution' the Indian community has made to Ireland's public life — particularly in medicine, nursing, the caring professions, culture, business, and enterprise. President Higgins described their presence as 'a source of enrichment and generosity' and recalled historic ties between the two nations, including shared struggles for independence, the role of Irishwoman Margaret Cousins in founding the All India Women's Conference, and cooperation during the drafting of both countries' constitutions. Higgins drew a sharp parallel between Ireland's past and its present, noting that generations of Irish emigrants carried their culture abroad and often depended on the kindness of strangers. 'That shared human experience should remain at the heart of how we treat those who have come to make their lives here,' he said, warning that to forget it would mean 'losing a part of ourselves.' President Higgins cautioned against the 'poisoning' of public spaces, including social media, with hate speech and incitement to violence, saying such messages not only harm individuals but erode the 'most fundamental and enduring instincts of Irishness.' These instincts, Higgins stressed, are rooted in hospitality, friendship, and care for others — and must apply 'without exception' to all who form part of Irish society. In light of the attacks, the Ireland India Council announced the postponement of its annual 'India Day' celebrations in Dublin, traditionally held around Indian Independence Day. Co-chairman Prashant Shukla said the current climate was 'not conducive' to holding the event safely. Shukla's comments followed a meeting with Irish Deputy Prime Minister Tánaiste Simon Harris, who condemned the violence and praised the Indian community's 'very positive contribution' to the country. The council will review the situation before setting a new date for the event.
News18
7 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Ireland President ‘unequivocally' condemns attacks on Indian community
London, Aug 12 (PTI) Ireland President Michael D Higgins on Tuesday 'unequivocally" condemned the 'despicable attacks" on members of the Indian community. In a statement, Higgins highlighted the immense contribution of Indians across all spheres of Irish life, saying the attacks were in stark contradiction to the values of Ireland. It came after a spate of violent attacks on Indians in Dublin and other cities, which the Irish police (Garda) said was 'being fully and thoroughly investigated". 'The recent despicable attacks on members of the Indian community stand in stark contradiction to the values that we as a people hold dear," said Higgins. 'That any person in Ireland, particularly any young person, should be drawn into such behaviour through manipulation or provocation is to be unequivocally condemned," he said. 'Whether such provocation stems from ignorance or from malice, it is essential to acknowledge the harm that it is causing. Such acts diminish all of us and obscure the immeasurable benefits the people of India have brought to the life of this country," he added. Higgins highlighted how Indians make contributions in the field of 'medicine, nursing, the caring professions, in cultural life, in business and enterprise, to cite just some". He also referenced his meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar earlier in the year, when they discussed shared Indo-Irish histories and the experience of paths towards independence, including the role of Irish woman Margaret Cousins in establishing the All India Women's Conference, the exchange of expertise as both countries drafted and agreed on constitutions, and the fostering of diplomatic and political relationships over the decades. 'Ireland has long been shaped by migration, both outward and inward. Those who left our shores carried our culture and values into faraway lands, often depending on the generosity of strangers. That shared human experience should remain at the heart of how we treat those who have come to make their lives here. To forget that is to lose a part of ourselves," Higgins said. 'Our shared spaces — including social media platforms — should never be poisoned from messages of hate or incitement to violence. Such messages not only target individuals, but also damage and corrode the most fundamental and enduring instincts of Irishness: those of hospitality, friendship, and care for others," he said. 'These principles must apply to all who form part of Irish society today, without exception. An Ireland that honours these values is one in which all communities can live in safety, dignity, and mutual respect," he added. The president's intervention followed a similarly firm statement by the Archbishop of Dublin against the 'truly shocking" and 'unprovoked" attacks. On Monday, the Ireland India Council announced the postponement of its annual 'India Day" celebrations, planned in Dublin for Sunday, amid security concerns for the community. An Garda Síochána, the Irish police force, said in its latest statement that its investigations remain ongoing and that it is 'liaising with the injured parties in each case". 'Without commenting on any specific incident, the Garda National Diversity Unit is actively engaged with the Federation of Indian Communities in Ireland (FICI) – the umbrella group for several Indian community groups across the country – to address present concerns. We would like to reassure those of an ethnic or minority background that we are here to keep you safe," the statement noted. PTI AK GSP GSP view comments First Published: August 12, 2025, 23:15 IST News agency-feeds Ireland President 'unequivocally' condemns attacks on Indian community Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Irish Examiner
7 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Higgins calls out 'ignorance and malice' behind recent attacks on Indian community
President Michael D. Higgins condemned recent attacks on members of the Indian community in Ireland, saying they directly contradict the values of the Irish people. Attacks against members of the Indian community have come under the spotlight in recent weeks after an Indian man suffered an unprovoked attack in Tallaght, Dublin, last month. Friends of India held a silent vigil outside the Department of Justice in response. Organisers cancelled an India Day celebration scheduled for this weekend over safety fears. In a statement, Mr Higgins said he wanted "to express the deep sense of gratitude we all in Ireland owe to the Indian community here," adding that Indians have made "an immense contribution" to many aspects of Irish life — in medicine, nursing, the caring professions, cultural life, business, and enterprise. Mr Higgins added that Ireland's connections with India "are neither recent nor superficial." "Earlier this year, I met with the Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and we discussed how much our histories share the experience of paths towards independence, the role of Irish woman Margaret Cousins in establishing the All India Women's Conference, the exchange of expertise as both countries drafted and agreed our Constitutions, and the fostering of diplomatic and political relationships over the decades, relationships which remain vibrant today. "The recent despicable attacks on members of the Indian community stand in stark contradiction to the values that we as a people hold dear. That any person in Ireland, particularly any young person, should be drawn into such behaviour through manipulation or provocation is to be unequivocally condemned. Whether such provocation stems from ignorance or from malice, it is essential to acknowledge the harm that it is causing. Such acts diminish all of us and obscure the immeasurable benefits the people of India have brought to the life of this country." Mr Higgins said Ireland "has long been shaped by migration, both outward and inward," and that those who left our shores "carried our culture and values into faraway lands, often depending on the generosity of strangers." "That shared human experience should remain at the heart of how we treat those who have come to make their lives here. To forget that is to lose a part of ourselves. "Our shared spaces — including social media platforms — should never be poisoned from messages of hate or incitement to violence. Such messages not only target individuals, but also damage and corrode the most fundamental and enduring instincts of Irishness: those of hospitality, friendship, and care for others. "These principles must apply to all who form part of Irish society today, without exception. An Ireland that honours these values is one in which all communities can live in safety, dignity, and mutual respect.'
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
History, brick by brick at the AIWC wall
Encapsulating significant events associated with the All India Women's Conference (AIWC), established in 1927 to address issues such as women's education, health and gender equality, a newly opened Wall of History at AIWC in the capital is a trip down memory lane. With a beautifully curated corridor featuring 29 panels, the Wall arrests the viewer not just through its luminosity but the profundity of the brief write-up accompanying each photograph. Curated by AIWC general secretary Manju Kak, it was inaugurated by former ambassador TCA Raghavan this past week. The conference was started well before the call for purna swaraj was made in December, 1929 and much before Gandhiji's Dandi March, which shook the foundations of British rule with a fistful of salt. Who were these brave women of AIWC who saw tomorrow yesterday? There was Sarojini Naidu, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay. Then there was Margaret Cousin, not to forget Maharani Chimnabai Gaekwad, the first president and Rajkumari Amrit Kaur who went on to join Jawaharlal Nehru's Cabinet, the first of independent India. It actually started in Pune's Fergusson college in 1925 when nearly 2,000 women gathered raising their voice for equality. A couple of years later AIWC came up, now just two short of a well-deserved hundred. The AIWC History Wall commemorates the remarkable innings. Says Manju Kak, 'Beginning with our emblem and the landmark first conference in 1927, this powerful visual exhibit takes you on a journey through time, highlighting AIWC's pioneering efforts in women's education, healthcare, child marriage, legal rights, and socio-economic empowerment.'AIWC general secretary, Kak recalls the efforts made to fix the minimum age for marriage of girls through the Sarda Act in 1929. 'From the Sarda Act to launching Mobile Health Vans, establishing libraries and textile units, and initiating computer training and skill development programs, each panel reflects AIWC's dedication to the upliftment of women and children across India,' Kak points out. Some of the exhibits are truly enlightening. For instance, the one which talks of the foundation of Irwin College, not too far from the AIWC precincts. The college was designed as a haven for girls to hone their skills in arts and aesthetics and home science. Or the exhibit dedicated to Sarojini Naidu, the Nightingale of India, who was its fourth president or the one about Begum Shareefah Hamid Ali, the AIWC president in 1940 who attended a Congress session in 1907. Shareefah developed the Swadeshi movement and later went on to champion the cause of the implementation of the Sarda Act. As you walk through this corridor, Kak sums up, 'You'll witness more than just the history of an organization, you will experience the story of a movement, led by visionary women, shaping a more just and equitable society.'
