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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
'India Day' celebrations in Ireland postponed amid increased violent attacks on Indians
The annual 'India Day' celebrations in Ireland, scheduled to take place on Sunday, were postponed amid the recent spike in violent attacks on Indians in the country. India Day celebrations mainly feature an array of Indian and Irish songs, classical and Bollywood dance, music, and cultural presentations.(X/@iic_info) Prashant Shukla, co-chairman of the Ireland India Council, said on Monday that it was not a "conducive" time to hold the event, which is coinciding with the Indian Independence Day, August 15. Shukla made the remarks after meeting with Irish deputy prime minister, Tánaiste Simon Harris, to discuss the Indian community's concerns over the violent attacks in recent weeks. 'We discussed a range of issues, particularly safety and security of Indians in Ireland,' Shukla told reporters after the meeting. He added, "We want to make an announcement, as we feel the situation at the moment for holding India Day is not conducive. We will review the situation and announce new dates." Meanwhile, deputy PM Harris also took to X and thanked the "very positive contribution" of the Indian community to Ireland. "Today, I met representatives of Ireland's Indian community. I completely condemn the despicable acts of violence and racism that we have seen against some members of the Indian community in recent weeks," Harris added. The Ireland India Council has been organising India Day every year since 2015 at Dublin's Farmleigh House and Estate at Phoenix Park, in collaboration with the Irish government and community organisations such as the Federation of Indian Communities in Ireland (FICI). Last week, the Garda National Diversity Unit of the Irish police said that it was looking forward to joining the event as an opportunity to 'provide any help and reassurance in light of recent concerns'. India Day celebrations mainly feature an array of Indian and Irish songs, classical and Bollywood dance, music, and cultural presentations, including fashion shows and a craft market. Prashant Shukla told reporters, "The main purpose of India Day is friendship and the celebration of freedom, not only by the Indian community but also the Irish community. It is an unfortunate decision, but (members of the Indian community) stand by it because it is the correct decision." More concerned about 'social media perception' Revealing that hundreds of performers and volunteers had been preparing for the event throughout the year, Shukla said that the tense situation forced them to take this "very, very difficult" decision. "Above all, the safety and security of the members of the Indian community and wider Irish and multinational communities is more important than anything," he added. Further, Shukla noted that more than the safety at the event, the community was concerned about the "perception in the social media created by some extreme right and extreme left propaganda". "They also create a perception that Indians have taken over the streets and the housing problem is because of the Indians. So, we just want to balance these counter-narratives," he said. Meanwhile, Dublin's Archbishop, Dermot Farrell, issued a strongly worded statement this week against the "unprovoked" attacks. 'It is time to call out those who peddle racial hatred. It is time to stand up to those who seek to divide our community through rumour and malice,' said Farrell's statement. It further read, "The truth is that the Indian community in Dublin comprises many people who have come to Dublin to make an important and valued contribution to our society. We are all familiar with the vital presence of Indian professionals in our healthcare system, without whom many healthcare needs simply could not be met. Others apply their skills in other important sectors of the economy and also contribute to funding public services through their taxes." The Irish Embassy last week reacted to the recent violent attacks on Indians in the country and said, "We condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms. They are an assault on the values of equality and human dignity that Ireland holds dear.' The embassy further said that racism and xenophobia have no place in Irish society. It added that the actions of a few do not show the true spirit of the Irish people and will not be accepted. After reports of a brutal attack on a 40-year-old Indian man at Parkhill Road in Dublin's Tallaght suburb last month, several instances of similar targeted attacks on the community across Ireland have emerged. Most recently, an Indian-origin woman alleged that her 60-year-old father was subjected to racial harassment and inappropriate behaviour by a couple of young boys, likely aged around 7 or 8 years old, at a bus stop in Dublin. The woman claimed that the boys first asked for selfies with her father but then, they began mocking him while one of them allegedly tried to grab his wallet from his pocket. On August 1, the Indian Embassy in Dublin issued an advisory to its citizens, asking them to "take reasonable precautions for their personal security and avoid deserted areas, especially in odd hours". The embassy said that it was in touch with the Irish authorities regarding the increased instances of physical attacks reported against Indians.
News18
09-08-2025
- News18
Irish police diversity unit reassures Indian community after attacks
Last Updated: London, Aug 9 (PTI) The diversity unit of Ireland's police force said on Saturday that it is engaging with the Indian community in the wake of a string of violent attacks in the capital Dublin and other parts of the country in recent weeks. The Garda National Diversity Unit has been in discussions with the Federation of Indian Communities in Ireland (FICI) and is also set to be joining the annual Indian Independence Day celebrations organised by the umbrella group next week. An Garda Siochana, as the national police force of Ireland is known, said investigations into reports of assault on people of Indian heritage remain ongoing. '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," a Garda spokesperson said. 'As in previous years, we look forward to attending next weekend's annual 'India Day' celebrations held by FICI and the Ireland India Council. We expect that both events will be opportunities for us to provide any help and reassurance in light of recent concerns," the spokesperson said. The police confirmed that one of the most recent incidents in which an Indian-origin hotel chef in his 50s was assaulted and robbed in Dublin on Wednesday remains under investigation. 'We would like to reassure those of an ethnic or minority background that we are here to keep you safe. We would encourage anyone who has been a victim of crime to report it to An Garda Siochana for investigation, or in an emergency call 999/112," the spokesperson added. The hotel chef, named in the Irish media as Laxman Das, was attacked by three suspects who fled with his phone, credit cards and electric bike. He was taken to the city's St. Vincent's University Hospital with what the police described as non-life-threatening injuries. Earlier in the week, Anupa Achuthan, originally from Kerala and now an Irish citizen, spoke about her Ireland-born six-year-old daughter Nia Naveen being assaulted outside her home in the city of Waterford, south-east Ireland, and told to 'go back to India". Violent assaults involving Lakhvir Singh, a taxi driver in his 40s, and entrepreneur and AI expert Dr Santosh Yadav followed an Indian Embassy advisory urging Indian citizens to take 'safety precautions and avoid deserted areas, especially at odd hours". The advisory followed a brutal attack on a 40-year-old Indian man at Parkhill Road in the Tallaght suburb of Dublin on July 19, described as 'mindless, racist violence" by locals. 'The people of Ireland stand with the Indian community and will continue to stand firmly against racism in all its forms," the Irish Embassy in New Delhi said in a social media statement this week. The Irish India Council welcomed the 'strong statement", adding: 'Racism and xenophobia have no place in our society. The Indian community's contributions continue to enrich Ireland, and our shared bonds remain strong." PTI AK GSP GSP view comments First Published: August 09, 2025, 18:00 IST 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.
